Backlog Management Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a product backlog in agile product ownership?

Answer: To serve as a prioritized list of work for product development

The product backlog is an ordered list of everything that might be needed in the product, serving as the single source of planned work.

Which technique is commonly used to prioritize items in a product backlog?

Answer: MoSCoW prioritization

MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have) is a widely used prioritization technique for categorizing backlog items by importance.

What does 'backlog refinement' (grooming) involve?

Answer: Reviewing, estimating, and ordering backlog items to keep them ready for sprints

Backlog refinement keeps the backlog healthy by clarifying, estimating, and reprioritizing items before they are pulled into a sprint.

Who is ultimately responsible for the product backlog in a Scrum team?

Answer: The Product Owner

The Product Owner is accountable for the product backlog, including its content, availability, and ordering.

What is 'backlog debt' in the context of product ownership?

Answer: Accumulation of unrefined, outdated, or unclear backlog items over time

Backlog debt occurs when items are added faster than they are refined or removed, resulting in a bloated and hard-to-manage backlog.

What is the recommended size for a product backlog item (PBI) before it enters a sprint?

Answer: Small enough to be completed within a single sprint

PBIs should be small enough to be completed within a single sprint to ensure focus, predictability, and the ability to deliver working software.