Product Backlog

Definition of Product Backlog

A Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product.

Pronunciation Spelling

proh-duhkt bak-lawg

Example Sentence

The Product Backlog is the single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team.

Significance

Agile practitioners should be familiar with the term “Product Backlog” as it represents a prioritized list of all desired work items or requirements for a product. It serves as a living document, constantly evolving and reflecting changes in priorities, business needs, and feedback from stakeholders. Understanding the Product Backlog is crucial as it helps teams plan, prioritize, and deliver the most valuable features or functionalities in a product increment. It aligns with the agile principle of delivering value to customers continuously, providing transparency about the work to be done and enabling collaborative decision-making on what to build next.

Additional Resources

• Scrum Guide
• Product Backlog: Maximize Value, Minimize Waste
• A DEEP Backlog is a Healthy Backlog
• Agile Product Backlogs Should Be Shaped Like Icebergs
• Better Backlogs From OKRs
• Go Ahead—Purge Your Product Backlog Right Now (MGS Newsletter from 3/17/22. Back issues available via Agile Mentors ).
• Scrum Shortcuts Without Cutting Corners: Agile Tactics, Tools & Tips
• Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most Popular Agile Process