create a Product Backlog that supports achievement of a Product Goal.

A Product Backlog is a crucial tool in Scrum methodology, acting as a well-organized list that contains every feature, function, requirement, enhancement, and correction which constitutes the changes to be made on a product. This plays an important role in defining the product of work to be done and enables the achievement of the Product Goal. To devise an effective Product Backlog for your overarching Product Goal, here are some key principles and strategies to consider.

1. Clear Definition Of Product Goal

A Product Goal is a concise, explicit statement that articulates the specific outcome that the Scrum Team seeks to achieve with the product. Formulating a clear product goal helps the team understand what they are aiming for, providing guidelines for potential Backlog Items. This illuminates the path towards its realization while inspiring creativity and problem-solving capabilities among team members.

Example: If the Product Goal is to “Expand the digital footprint of the brand”, related Backlog Items might include- Build a responsive website, Develop a mobile app, or Initiate a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaign.

2. Backlog Item Identification

A sound strategy towards achieving a Product Goal includes identifying potential backlog items and conducting a refinement and prioritization process. Backlog refinement is crucial to instill a shared understanding of what jobs should be done and in what sequence, while prioritization ensures that the most valuable items are delivered with a sense of urgency.

Example: Let’s take the same example, the Product Goal is to “Expand the digital footprint of the brand”. Backlog Items must be prioritized based on urgency VS importance. An SEO campaign’s impact might only start showing after a few months, but it is highly important for digital footprint expansion. Website development is both urgent and essential, thus possibly taking priority.

3. Prioritizing the Backlog

Once potential backlog items are identified, prioritize them based on the value they add to the product goal, their complexity, and the associated risks. Techniques for prioritizing backlog items include MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have), Value vs. Risk, and Buy a Feature, among others.

4. Ensuring Transparency and Traceability

A Backlog needs to be a living document, with updates and changes documented in every scrum meeting. Transparency in the Product Backlog facilitates traceability of requirements, helping both the team members and stakeholders understand how the backlog items contribute to the Product Goal.

Here’s a simple backlog traceability example,

In conclusion, carefully constructed and managed Backlogs can greatly support achievement of Product Goals. Regular refinement and reprioritization of the Backlog, coupled with transparency and clarity, can ensure your team is always working towards maximized product value and allowing each step to directly contribute to the overarching Product Goal. By building such characteristics into your Product Backlog, efficiency is maximized, leading to a well-devised and achievable Product Goal.