Backlog: The Black Hole of ideas
Is your backlog turning into an ever-expanding universe of forgotten dreams? We all know that mix—a jumble of big ideas and tiny tasks waiting for their day in the sun.
Some items linger for years.
Why do backlogs grow?
Because we apply: – As a developer – I want to create a backlog items – So that I can forget about it
Backlog grooming should be the solution? It already sounds dirty to me.
But let’s be honest, is anyone really decluttering effectively? Are you removing items? Probably not.
What happens?
New items always seem urgent. They’re fresh, someone just mentioned them.
But what about the tasks you’ve already invested in? They are important? Just because time was spent doesn’t mean they’re the most valuable next step.
Checkbox culture: Are we simply ticking boxes, dragging random items into sprints? Are these really the priorities that drive company and customer success?
This cycle is disheartening. Adding new ideas feels futile when the chance of action is slim.
How do you tackle your growing backlog?
