tech·nic·al·ly agile

What Does a Poor Product Backlog Look Like?

Learn how to recognise a poor product backlog in Agile and Scrum, including signs like lack of order, unclear priorities, and confusion among team members and stakeholders.

Published on
2 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/JqVrh-g-0f8

The Order of Product Backlogs

In the world of Agile and Scrum , a question I often encounter is, “What does a poor product backlog look like?”

Identifying a Poor Product Backlog

Spotting a poor product backlog, in my experience, is just imagining a backlog that feels unordered, where the critical items aren’t prioritised.  🚫 

When pivotal tasks get buried and there’s a lack of clarity, you’re in the territory of a poor backlog.

If your team can’t decipher the contents, and stakeholders are left scratching their heads, it’s definitely a red flag. 🚩

Unpacking an Ideal Product Backlog

Let’s flip the script.  🌟 

I think it’s crucial to shift the perspective and ask, rather than just highlighting the flaws, let’s flip the narrative.

So, What is a Stellar Product Backlog?

A good product backlog is a well-understood, meticulously ordered list.  ✅ 

A list where everyone — from developers to stakeholders — knows its contents.

Everyone is in sync.  They comprehend their roles, understand how to aid in their completion, and recognise their contribution to overarching organisational goals.

Let’s elevate your product backlog lists together if you’re keen to transition from a ‘poor’ to a ‘good’ backlog and unravel the intricacies of effective product management .

Remember, whether you’re a seasoned Agile pro or a newcomer, ensuring a well-maintained product backlog is pivotal.

Uh, poor product backlog is probably unordered. Probably the stuff that’s important is not at the top. Probably the team doesn’t understand what all the things are in the product backlog, and the stakeholders don’t understand it either.

What’s a better idea? A good product backlog looks like a well-understood, ordered list that everybody can get behind. Everybody understands what’s in there. Everybody understands what they need to do to get the things that are in there and how they can help and how it contributes towards the overall organisational goals.

Software Development Product Backlog
Comments

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

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.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Illumina Logo
Slaughter and May Logo
Brandes Investment Partners L.P. Logo
Healthgrades Logo
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company) Logo
Lockheed Martin Logo
Microsoft Logo
Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo
YearUp.org Logo
DFDS Logo
Philips Logo
Qualco Logo
New Signature Logo
Hubtel Ghana Logo
ProgramUtvikling Logo
Workday Logo
Lean SA Logo
Akaditi Logo
New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo
Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo
Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo
Nottingham County Council Logo
Washington Department of Transport Logo
Royal Air Force Logo
Qualco Logo
Milliman Logo
New Signature Logo
Healthgrades Logo

NIT A/S

Slaughter and May Logo