How to make Backlog Grooming progress more effective?

 As leaned before in the PMP Certification training online, here are 7 tips to make the Backlog Grooming progress more effective.

1.      Make it DEEP

DEEP stands for detailed adequately, estimated, emergent, and prioritised, and was coined by Agile supporter Roman Pichler. These are the characteristics of a well-managed backlog.

2.      Have Better Meetings

Backlog grooming is frequently done in a meeting, thus making those sessions run more smoothly will result in a more efficient backlog. As a result, you don't have to invite everyone every time. The product owner is the only individual who is required. Following that, invite just those who are relevant at the time. If you need input from others who will not be present at the meeting, gather that information ahead of time.

3.      Keep Customers in Mind

According to the PMP Certification training online,Backlog grooming requires a compass, and the compass is always the customer. Consider them as a way of prioritizing the backlog. Customers can act as a yardstick against which everything else is assessed. Customers are the target audience for the product, therefore keep them in mind at all times.

4.      Identify Dependencies

There are occasions when user stories or tasks cannot begin until another has been finished. If these dependencies aren't identified, team members will be stymied and development will be slowed. When grooming the backlog, make sure to identify any dependencies.

5.      Have Two Sprints Worth of Stories to Work on

When a backlog grooming session is over, the team should have enough user stories to work on for two sprints. This gives them enough work to keep them busy until the next backlog grooming, as well as things to accomplish if priorities change.

6.      Listen

This advice is useful in a variety of settings, both personal and professional, and it needs repeating no matter how many times it is given. While a clear plan with specified objectives is essential for effective backlog grooming, that doesn't imply it has to be set in stone. The product owner must retain an open mind and listen to the team's suggestions, possibly making changes as needed.

7.      Be Professional

There will be differing viewpoints in a backlog grooming meeting, but everyone on the team is working to create the best product possible. They may disagree on how to do it, but passion and experience drive them. A product owner or manager must remember this and treat everyone with respect. Allow everyone to be heard and valued while remaining focused on the team.

Need more insights on the same? Enrol in a PMP, CAPM, or PfMP training course today!