A product backlog is an ordered list of work that supports the development and improvement of a product.
It may contain requirements, features, user stories, defects, technical tasks, and research activities. Therefore, it provides one central view of planned work.
The product owner orders the items by value, urgency, risk, and dependencies. Meanwhile, the development team estimates the required effort.
Teams refine important items before implementation. In contrast, lower-priority items may remain less detailed. Moreover, each item can link to acceptance criteria, models, prototypes, or other supporting information.
The sprint backlog contains the items selected for one sprint. Therefore, it represents a focused part of the larger list.
Teams review and update the product backlog regularly. As a result, it reflects new information, changing priorities, and stakeholder feedback.
A well-maintained backlog supports transparent planning, continuous refinement, and value-focused delivery.
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