Product Backlog

person writing bucket list on book



The product backlog is a prioritized list of features or requirements that a product team maintains for a product. It is the single source of truth for what needs to be built for a product and serves as a guide for the team to deliver the right product at the right time.

The product backlog is dynamic and constantly evolving. It is not a static document, but rather a living artifact that reflects the current state of the product and the team's understanding of customer needs, market trends, and business goals.

The product backlog is owned by the product manager, who is responsible for prioritizing the items on the list based on their value to the customer and the business. The product manager works closely with stakeholders, including customers, sales teams, marketing teams, and engineering teams, to ensure that the product backlog reflects the needs of all parties.

The product backlog is typically organized into user stories or epics, which describe the functionality or feature from the perspective of the user. Each item on the backlog should include a clear description, acceptance criteria, and any relevant dependencies or constraints.

The product backlog is used by the development team during sprint planning to determine what work will be done in the upcoming sprint. The team pulls items from the top of the backlog, with the goal of delivering the most valuable features first.

In summary, the product backlog is a critical tool for product managers to prioritize and communicate the needs of the product to the development team. It is a dynamic document that reflects the evolving needs of the product and should be continually refined to ensure that the team is delivering the right product at the right time.