PRODUCT BACKLOG VS. SPRINT BACKLOG
The development of new digital products often involves exploratory work and high levels of uncertainty. The traditional approach of gathering all requirements upfront and delivering them together doesn’t always work well in such situations. It was this limitation that led to the emergence of the agile methodology. This methodology emphasized continuous evaluation of requirements and results to respond to changes quickly.
Ever since the formalization of agile software development, with the publication of the agile manifesto in 2001, it has gained widespread acceptance. Agile emphasizes collaboration and adaptability in software development. Various frameworks to implement the agile methodology in software development include
1) Scrum
2) XP
3) FDD
4) Crystal etc
Though the essence of each framework is to implement agile, each has its own specific approach. Depending on the project context, teams can choose the most suitable. One such framework that stands out due to its immense popularity is Scrum.
Scrum framework
SCRUM
The Scrum Guide defines scrum as a “lightweight framework that helps people, teams, and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems”. Scrum consists of roles, artifacts, and ceremonies to ensure its smooth implementation. Usually, cross-functional teams of three to nine members work in sprints lasting less than a month to deliver working software incrementally. Product owners prioritize the most valuable items for the team to work on. To do this, they rely on the product backlog, which is an ordered list of all the work items for developing the product. Another artifact that contains work items is the sprint backlog. While the product backlog contains all the work items for the project, the scrum backlog contains work items for a particular sprint.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES
Understanding the distinctions between the product backlog and sprint backlog is crucial for effectively implementing the Scrum framework. It helps prevent significant challenges that can arise due to a lack of understanding of these core artifacts. These challenges include issues with prioritization, inefficiencies in development processes, or obstacles to delivering valuable increments. A clear understanding allows teams to grasp the unique roles these backlogs play in managing requirements, prioritization, and the iterative development process.
Read on to delve deeper into the differences between these two backlogs and whether one is more important than the other. Let’s start with the definitions.
PRODUCT BACKLOG
A Product Backlog is an ordered list of all work items that need to be completed to deliver a product.
It can be thought of as a comprehensive to-do list for our product’s development journey. Just as a personal to-do list helps us stay organised and focused, a product backlog does the same for the scrum team. PBI (Product Backlog Items) might include:
1) User Stories: User Stories highlight distinct functionalities that we are trying to build. They are usually written from the perspective of the ‘End User’. Let’s take the example of a food delivery app. A sample user story for it might be
E.g.: As a health-conscious customer, I want to be able to filter for specific food choices such as vegan, gluten-free, etc.
2) Epics: An epic is a large area of work that encompasses a broad level of functionality. While user stories can be typically done within a single sprint, epics span multiple sprints. They are usually a collection of related user stories. Keeping in line with our health app example, the above user story can be a part of the larger ‘filter’ epic. Other stories can include filters for distance, rating, etc.
3) Bugs Fixes: These include issues with the software functionality.
4) Knowledge Acquisition Work items: These include proof-of-concept tasks or experiments for features that need more research before they can be worked upon.
5) Tasks and NFRs: work items related to performance improvement, code refactoring, and non-functional requirements such as regulatory compliance, etc.
6) Feedback: PBIs might also incorporate stakeholder feedback as separate tasks.
The above list indicates some common constituents of the Product Backlog. It is ordered such that the detailed, higher-priority tasks are at the top of the backlog. The lower part, however, might create epics that need to be broken down further as per priority.
PBI
SPRINT BACKLOG
A sprint backlog is a subset of the product backlog that contains work items the team would be working on in a sprint. Usually, the development team in collaboration with the scrum master and product owner, decides the items they will be working on in a sprint. Since it’s a subset of the product backlog, it comprises prioritised and refined PBIs. It is created during sprint planning.
Some components of the sprint backlog
Now let’s dive into the unique difference between both backlogs
PRODUCT BACKLOG VS. SPRINT BACKLOG
1) SCOPE: A product backlog includes all the work items that go into building a product, some of which might even be discarded if priorities dictate. In contrast, Sprint backlog is a subset of product backlog. It includes items that the development team chooses to work on in a particular sprint. They are usually completed in their entirety during the sprint.
Items of product backlog vs sprint backlog
2) OWNER: The product backlog is owned and controlled by the product owner (PO). A PO is responsible for prioritising and refining the backlog items based on the vision and stakeholder needs. On the other hand, the sprint backlog is controlled by the development team. The team selects the items from the product backlog and determines how best to achieve the sprint goal.
3) FOCUS: The product vision and roadmap inform the creation of the product backlog. Its focus is long-term and intended to achieve the product’s strategic goals. It is a living document and is periodically refined. However, the sprint backlog’s focus is short-term and directed towards meeting the sprint goals. It is primarily active for the duration of the sprint and contributes towards the creation of a working product increment.
4) TIME HORIZON: The product backlog is a dynamic document that evolves throughout the product’s lifecycle. It remains active from the initiation of the product until its retirement and may extend beyond the lifespan of individual sprints. Conversely, the sprint backlog is a time-bound artifact that only covers the duration of a sprint. It is created during sprint planning and is expected to be completed by the end of the sprint.
5) FLEXIBILITY: Once the sprint goals are decided and the sprint backlog created, it’s uncommon to frequently change it. It is because it might throw the team off track and disrupt the sprint’s progress. On the other hand, a product backlog is a much broader document. It is subject to constant changes and refinements based on stakeholder feedback, market conditions, and evolving business needs.
6) GRANULARITY: The items in a product backlog are typically less granular than those in the sprint backlog. While the top of the product backlog might contain detailed user stories and work items, it generally has higher-level items that span across sprints. A sprint backlog, however, has detailed, smaller, and more granular tasks that can be completed in the sprint.
7) SCRUM CEREMONIES: The Product Backlog is subjected to periodic backlog refinement ceremonies. In this, the PO, in collaboration with other stakeholders, reviews and updates the backlog items. It is to ensure that these items are well understood and appropriately prioritised.
The sprint backlog is associated with the sprint planning ceremony. In this, the development team, in collaboration with the PO and scrum master, selects items to work on in that sprint. It usually also involves the teams assigning these items and breaking them into appropriate tasks.
The above list, though not exhaustive, covers some key distinctions between the two backlogs.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, both backlogs have different purposes and importance based on the context of the project. Having said that, it would not be accurate to single out one as more important than the other. While the product backlog has a broader long-term perspective, the sprint backlog has a more immediate, short-term focus. So, a product backlog has a more strategic orientation, while a sprint backlog has a more tactical orientation. Both of these artifacts complement each other to enable a successful scrum project.
