The All-Inclusive Backlog: Beyond User Stories
Work as a United Team on a United Backlog
Software product managers and engineers often ponder the composition of their product backlog. Should it contain only user stories, or does it warrant a broader scope?
The truth is, a well-rounded backlog goes beyond just feature development. Consider including the following elements.
Elements of a Unified Backlog
Bug fixing: Fixing bugs is an integral part of maintaining a robust product.
Refactoring: Continuous improvement is key. Allocate space in your backlog for refactoring tasks to improve maintainability.
Architecture work: An evolving software architecture requires attention. Include backlog items for architectural enhancements.
Experimentation and Validation: Foster innovation by allocating backlog space for experiments and validation. This allows your team to explore new ideas with users and validate assumptions.
Directed Discovery: Prioritize items related to discovery, enabling your team to proactively explore and learn, contributing to informed decision making.
UX Research: Elevate the user experience by integrating UX research into your backlog. Uncover insights that guide design improvements (not only UI design!) and ensure user satisfaction.
And lastly, user stories should also be part of the backlog, because only they the product will provide value.
User stories are important, but don't limit your backlog to them. Take a holistic approach and benefit as a team.
Benefits of a Unified Backlog
Resource Pool Unity: Consolidate all work items into a single backlog. This not only simplifies management, but also ensures optimal resource allocation.
Reflect Prioritization: Prioritization is inevitable. Manifest your priorities across all types of work clearly in the backlog and align the team's efforts with overall goals.
Team Involvement: Foster collective ownership. Involve the entire team in shaping the backlog, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Empowerment through Participation: An inclusive backlog empowers every team member. Whether it's experiments, bug fixes, or user stories, everyone contributes to the product's success.
Pro Tip: The Scrum Guide always uses the term "product backlog items" instead "user stories" to reflect that all types of work should be included. It's not a rigid rule, but rather an indicator of best practice.
In summary, a comprehensive product backlog accommodates diverse tasks and ensures that your team remains agile, proactive, and aligned with the overarching product goals.
What I read
This is a separate section of this newsletter. I will list some of the best articles I have read on the Internet. They may or may not be related to the topic of this article. I will keep a list of the best articles (currently >800) at https://www.digital-product-management.com. These are today’s picks:
Agile Transformation Pitfalls: And how to avoid them. This article is from Ageling on Agile, which I highly recommend.
Developing leadership styles: Three distinct leadership styles and when to use them.
Private Estimates, Public Progress: Playing with the map doesn’t change the territory. For every reality-defying management move there is a counteracting engineering move.
Great learning for product people!