Product Backlog management is an essential process in Scrum methodologies. It is the responsibility of the Product Owner to handle product backlogs effectively to align with the product’s vision and objectives. Proper ordering of the product backlog can contribute to increased productivity and efficient task management. In this regard, there are numerous techniques that can be utilized to order a Product Backlog. This article will discuss and compare three popular techniques used in Product Backlog ordering for better understanding.
1. MosCoW Method:
The MoSCoW method is an effective prioritization technique for backlog ordering. It’s an acronym that stands for:
- Must have: Items that are critical for the delivery and without which the project cannot proceed.
- Should have: Important items, but not necessary for delivery.
- Could have: Items that are desirable but not crucial. These can be delayed if time and resources are limited.
- Won’t have: Items that stakeholders have agreed will not be included in the deliverables, but can potentially be considered for the future.
This method allows the Scrum team to classify backlog items based on their necessity and importance.
2. Value, Risk, and Estimation (VRE):
The VRE is an efficient method for pinpointing critical features or items in the list. It focuses on three primary areas:
- Value: It refers to the potential profit or benefit that can be obtained by completing a particular backlog item.
- Risk: This pertains to the potential for loss or other adverse occurrences which could result from uncertainties in performing the task.
- Estimation: The amount of effort, resources, or cost it would take to complete the task.
By assessing each item based on these three criteria, the product owner can make more strategic decisions about the order of their product backlog.
3. Kano Model:
The Kano Model prioritizes features based on customer satisfaction. It divides these into five categories:
- Must-be Quality: Required features without which the product would be incomplete.
- One-Dimensional Quality: More of these features increases customer satisfaction.
- Attractive Quality: Features that exceed customer expectations and can generate excitement.
- Indifferent Quality: Features which do not affect the customer’s satisfaction.
- Reverse Quality: Features which may result in customer dissatisfaction.
This model assists in making the backlog more customer-centric.
Let’s illustrate these different techniques with a hypothetical example –
In a software development project:
| Backlog Item | MoSCoW | VRE | Kano Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Login | Must-have | High Value, Low Risk, Medium Estimate | Must-be Quality |
| Security Patch | Must-have | High Value, High risk, Medium Estimate | Must-be Quality |
| Responsive Design | Could-have | Medium value, medium risk, high estimate | Attractive Quality |
| Increased Loading Speed | Should-have | Medium Value, Low Risk, High estimate | One-Dimensional Quality |
| Adding Dark Theme | Won’t-have | Low Value, Low risk, low estimate | Indifferent Quality |
Understanding and appropriately using these techniques can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your backlog management strategy. These methods provide a comprehensive and diverse perspective on backlog items, making them suitable for various applications and requirements. By comparing these techniques, a product owner can choose the most suitable method for their particular project circumstances, helping them guide the team towards the project’s vision and goals. Emphasize continuous interaction with stakeholders to ensure the backlog items align with customer needs and expectations, achieving optimal product deliverability.
Practice Test
True or False: The MoSCoW technique is a valid method for ordering a Product Backlog.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The MoSCoW method stands for Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, and Won’t-have. It is a technique used for prioritizing features and work items.
Which of the following are valid ways of ordering a product backlog? (Multiple select)
- A) Team preference
- B) MoSCoW
- C) Value-driven
- D) Random
Answer: B) MoSCoW, C) Value-driven
Explanation: MoSCoW and Value-driven are recognized and recommended techniques for ordering a product backlog. Team preference or Random are not valid techniques as they do not guarantee an optimal outcome.
The Kano model prioritizes items based on user needs and expectations. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kano model distinguishes between basic needs, performance needs, and excitement needs. It aids in decision-making for prioritizing product features.
Which technique focuses on the effort required for implementing a product feature while ordering the product backlog?
- A) Value-driven
- B) MoSCoW
- C) Kano model
- D) Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
Answer: D) Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
Explanation: WSJF is a method of ordering a Product Backlog based on job size, taking into consideration the effort required for implementing the job.
True or False: The value-driven technique orders product backlog items based on their business value.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A value-driven technique orders items in the product backlog based on their business value – the higher the perceived value, the higher on the list the item goes.
The Kano model is used to order the product backlog based on the monetary value of the items. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kano model helps order the backlog based on customer satisfaction and not on the monetary value of the items.
The MoSCoW method orders the product backlog items arbitrarily. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The MoSCoW method orders the backlog based on the level of necessity of the items – Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have.
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the value-driven method? (multiple select)
- A) It is heavily customer-focused
- B) It emphasizes on monetary value
- C) It orders items based on their urgency
- D) It overlooks technical aspects
Answer: A) It is heavily customer-focused, B) It emphasizes on monetary value
Explanation: The value-driven method prioritizes user stories and features based on the value they deliver to customers. While the method emphasizes the business or monetary value, it doesn’t neglect technical aspects.
Using the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) method to order the product backlog considers the duration of job completion. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: WSJF considers the size or duration of job completion in relation to its prioritization, hence “shortest job” being part of the name.
Customer feedback plays a major role in the Kano model method of ordering the product backlog. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kano model is indeed centered around customer satisfaction and user expectation, making the customer feedback crucial to this model.
In the MoSCoW method, the “M” stands for “Mandatory” — items that must be completed first. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In the MoSCoW method, the “M” stands for “Must-have,” meaning these items are necessary for a functioning product.
The value-driven method can be combined with the MoSCoW method in ordering the Product Backlog. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: These methods can be combined as they both aim for customer satisfaction and product functionality. The MoSCoW can be used to identify essential items, while a value-driven approach can guide their ordering.
What factors does the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) method consider while prioritising the product backlog items?
- A) Cost of delay
- B) Time of implementation
- C) Business value
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: WSJF is a scheduling algorithm that considers the job size, cost of delay, time of implementation, and business value while prioritising backlog items.
The Kano model helps highlight which features would excite the customers and place them as high priority in the Product Backlog. True or False.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kano Model categorises customer preferences into basics, performance, and excitement factors. Thus it helps in identifying features which could create more satisfaction and making them a prioritized requirement.
In MoSCoW technique, a Product Owner should first convey the ‘Could Have’ items to the Development team. True or False
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: According to MoSCoW model, the ‘Must Have’ items are first shared with the Development team as these are non-negotiable and critical for the project.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of ordering the Product Backlog in Scrum?
The purpose of ordering the Product Backlog is to help prioritize the work that delivers the highest business value and ensures it is done first. It assists the development team in understanding what they need to work on next and makes the project’s course transparent for the stakeholders.
Can you mention three techniques to order a Product Backlog?
Three common techniques to order a Product Backlog are MoSCoW, Value vs. Effort, and Kano analysis.
What is the MoSCoW technique used in Product Backlog organization?
MoSCoW is an acronym that stands for Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have. It helps prioritize user stories based on their importance in meeting business objectives.
How does Value vs. Effort technique help in Product Backlog organization?
In the Value vs. Effort technique, items are ranked by comparing the value of the feature to the effort required to implement it. The goal is to prioritize items that offer high value with the least effort.
Can you briefly explain how the Kano model can be applied to order the Product Backlog?
The Kano model classifies client requirements into five categories: Attractive, Performance, Must-be, Indifferent, and Reverse. This helps in the systematic categorization of backlog items and helps prioritize them more efficiently.
Can the MoSCoW technique be combined with other ordering techniques for Product Backlog?
Yes, the MoSCoW technique can be used together with other techniques, such as Value vs. Effort, to achieve a more comprehensive and efficient backlog ordering.
What happens if the Product Backlog is not ordered properly?
If the Product Backlog is not ordered properly, the development team might end up working on less critical tasks, which could cause delays in delivering high business value features.
How do these Product Backlog ordering techniques help the Product Owner?
These techniques help the Product Owner articulate clear priorities, manage stakeholder expectations, and ensure the Development Team works on what is most valuable to the business at any given time.
How often should you order the Product Backlog?
The Product Backlog should be continually and dynamically ordered as the market, stakeholders, team, and insights about the product evolve.
Do the Scrum team members have any say in the ordering of the Product Backlog?
While the final decision of ordering the Product Backlog rests with the Product Owner, the Scrum Team’s input is vital. Team members often provide crucial insights on implementation complexity or other issues that may influence the prioritization.
Which technique would be best for a product that is in the early stages of development?
In the early stages of product development, the Value vs. Effort technique can be very beneficial. It could help identify and prioritize features that provide high value and require less developmental effort.
Is the same ordering technique suitable for all projects?
Not necessarily. The selection of an ordering technique depends largely on the nature, scale, and complexity of the project. Some projects may require the use of multiple techniques for more effective results.
How does regularly ordering the product backlog contribute to agile principles?
Regularly refining and ordering the product backlog gives way to flexibility and change, which are core principles of Agile. It allows the Scrum team to adapt to changes and deliver what is most valuable to the business at any time.
Can stakeholders influence the order of the Product Backlog?
Yes, stakeholders can provide input towards the Product Backlog’s order because they have insights on the value of items. Ultimately, however, the final decision on the order rests with the Product Owner.
What is the role of the Scrum Master in Product Backlog ordering?
The Scrum Master does not directly participate in Product Backlog ordering, but they guide and facilitate the process and ensure that it aligns with Scrum principles and values. They can also coach the Product Owner on the use of various ordering techniques.
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