The Scrum Team can maintain the Product Backlog to maximize its transparency by continually keeping it up to date with the most recent insights because:
It reflects the current state of the product and the work. The Product Backlog is a dynamic and emergent artifact that represents all the possible features, functions, requirements, enhancements, and fixes that constitute changes to the product. By updating it frequently, the Scrum Team can ensure that the Product Backlog is accurate, complete, and relevant.
It enables the Product Owner to optimize the value of the product and the work of the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes ordering, refining, and communicating the Product Backlog items. By updating it frequently, the Product Owner can incorporate new learnings, feedback, opportunities, and changes into the product decisions and priorities.
It supports the inspection and adaptation of the Scrum Team and the stakeholders. The Product Backlog is a source of information and transparency for everyone involved in the product development. By updating it frequently, the Scrum Team and the stakeholders can inspect the progress and outcomes of each Sprint, and adapt their plans and actions accordingly.
References:
Scrum Guide 2020, page 10: “The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product.”
Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes … ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood.”
Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “The ordering of the items in the Product Backlog is the sole responsibility of the Product Owner. They order Product Backlog items to best achieve goals and missions.”
Scrum Guide 2020, page 11: “Higher ordered Product Backlog items are clearer and more refined than lower ordered ones.”
Scrum Guide 2020, page 15: “The Sprint Review is an informal meeting, not a status meeting, and the presentation of the Increment is intended to elicit feedback and foster collaboration.”
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