A great backlog isn’t just a list of tasks

TL;DR; A backlog should guide strategic decisions and reflect the product vision, not just list tasks. Filling it with unchecked requests leads to loss of focus and unclear priorities. Review your backlog to ensure it highlights what truly matters for delivering value and supports your product strategy.

Published on 13 April 2025

Written by Martin Hinshelwood

1 minute read

https://nkdagility.com/resources/y8KN3uMGjey

A great backlog isn’t just a list of tasks. It’s a strategic tool for delivering value.

Too many teams treat the backlog as a never-ending to-do list, filling it with requests, features, and ideas without considering their impact. The result? A mountain of work that grows endlessly, losing focus and clarity.

A well-crafted backlog reflects:

The product’s vision
The team’s best guess at unrealised value
The strategic trade-offs needed to maximise ROI

If your backlog doesn’t help you make better decisions, it’s just noise. The question isn’t how much you have in your backlog—it’s how much of it actually matters.

What does your backlog say about your product strategy?

Also published on: LinkedIn

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