Product Backlog Mistakes

January 8, 2024

Happy Monday everyone! I hope everyone has had a great start to 2024. There is lots going on in the Cleveland Product scene, so let’s get to it!

Article of the Week

One of a Product Manager’s key responsibilities is to manage their Product’s backlog. This allows the Product Manager to represent what work is upcoming, document decisions, and prioritize work. But with great power comes great responsibility, and managing a Product Backlog effectively takes a lot of work.

I recently read an article by Roman Pichler that documents seven mistakes that can occur when managing a Product Backlog. Here are my three favorite:

  1. The Product Backlog is too Big - There is no ideal size to a Product Backlog, with numerous factors contributing to it. Ultimately, if you are having a difficult time managing it, prioritizing it, or refining it - or taking too much time to do so - then you need to start closing items. The right-sized backlog will allow you to react faster to changing conditions.

  2. The Product Backlog is not Appropriately Refined - Having items in the backlog that do not have enough information prevents all parties - particularly engineering and testing - to fully understand the request, identify an approach, and provide an estimate.

  3. The Product Backlog Lacks Strategic Alignment - A well-defined and effective product backlog is key, but all parties involved in the product development process need to know how the items in the backlog align to the greater Product Strategy. Why are we working on this? Why is it a priority?

As you launch into 2024 and you have responsibility for your Product’s backlog, please keep these items in mind so that can achieve great things this year!

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About the Author

My name is Shawn Leitner. I started the Cleveland Product networking group in 2017, which helps to connect Product professionals around Cleveland, providing them with a forum to network, learn, and share stories. For my day job, I'm a Product Consultant & Coach for Pathfinder Product and help clients implement strong Product practices so they can create products that their teams love building and their customers love using. Connect with me on LinkedIn or feel free to attend one of my events either virtually or in-person. Always up for meeting for a cup of coffee also!