Managing a Backlog

A backlog with 200 items isn't a plan; it's a graveyard. Keep it short, keep it groomed, and delete what you'll never build.

Overview

A healthy backlog is a short, prioritized list of work the team is ready to pull; not a graveyard of ideas nobody will ever build. Keep it small, groom it regularly, and delete anything that has been sitting untouched for more than a quarter. Pair with Prioritization to make ordering decisions explicit, and connect intake work through Intake Funnels so requests flow into the backlog through a deliberate process rather than ad hoc interruptions. Backlog management works best inside a Continuous Planning cadence where priorities are revisited regularly.