Backlog refinement, also known as backlog grooming, is an important task for product managers and their teams. A backlog will always exist, but not all items on that backlog are created equal. Backlog grooming enables the manager to ensure that their backlog list has an appropriate number of items and that they are listed in order of priority.
Backlog grooming is a process that is revisited on a regular basis and can be scheduled as an ongoing project activity, usually by the product owner, product manager, and other relevant stakeholders.
Why Is Backlog Grooming Important?
Perhaps you believe that all of this grooming is more trouble than it's worth. Maybe you're a procrastinator who prefers to leave everything until the last minute to get everything ready for the next sprint. Regular backlog grooming does have its advantages, and some of those advantages are discussed below.
- Boosts Team Efficiency
The most compelling reason to engage in backlog grooming is to assist teams in pushing forward and increasing overall productivity. These don't need to be discussed further because the user story is already well-defined. Sprint planning, on the other hand, is critical, and a better backlog will make it easier to plan for them. That isn't to say that the backlog is overburdened with details; it simply needs to be ready to work on.
- Manages Backlog Chaos
The product manager, or, depending on your organization, QA testers, developers, or other team members, is constantly adding to the backlog. This can result in a sloppy and disorganized backlog. As a result, backlog grooming is a method of cleaning up that seemingly chaotic list into a manageable task list that is easier to use by the team.
- Keeps Everyone Updated
Another advantage of backlog grooming is that it allows everyone to see where the product team stands on various features, projects, bug fixes, and enhancements. It's a way to maintain transparency among all team members, ensuring that no one is in the dark about what's going on. No one needs to ask another person what's going on when they have a well-kept backlog. The work will be more productive if there are fewer interruptions.
- Delivers New Info
Backlog grooming can also be used as a means of communication. The backlog is used by a large number of people, so when it is updated, the information is disseminated throughout the team. That means everyone is on the same page, but communication is two-way. The information teams receive receives feedback, and the backlog also records customer feedback from live demos.
Want to learn more benefits of Backlog Grooming? Undertake the PMP prep today!
Comments
Post a Comment