Not all surprises in product development are true unknowns. Many are just the result of bad backlog management.
Teams often get blindsided by last-minute changes, unexpected dependencies, or hidden complexities. But here’s the reality: Most of these “surprises” could have been anticipated with better refinement.
Refinement isn’t just about breaking down work—it’s about building foresight. If your team is constantly caught off guard, your backlog isn’t doing its job.
If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
Emerson Process Management
Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd
Trayport
Bistech
New Signature
Graham & Brown
Freadom
Microsoft
Slicedbread
SuperControl
Ericson
Sage
Higher Education Statistics Agency
Teleplan
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)
MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.
Kongsberg Maritime
DFDS
Washington Department of Enterprise Services
Department of Work and Pensions (UK)
Nottingham County Council
Royal Air Force
Washington Department of Transport
Ghana Police Service
Graham & Brown
Xceptor - Process and Data Automation
ProgramUtvikling
Alignment Healthcare
Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd
Slaughter and May