Backlog Refinement

If you’ve been working on your goals in this very strange year, it’s possible that some of the goals in your Master Backlog have become stale. For me, any travel plans were put on hold and at this point, there is no telling when I’ll be able to reschedule them, so they must take a lower priority. Certainly, your priorities have changed too. One of the things this pandemic has taught us is the importance of relationships, and how nurturing them keeps us healthy and sane, which would move goals in this category to the top.

So now is a good time to go to your Backlog, or Bucket List if you will, and start rearranging goals according to your latest priorities and capabilities. Remember that you want to order your Backlog so that the goals at the top are broken down into tasks small enough to be accomplished during your four-week Sprint and have a clear Definition of Done. If you take this step now, you will be starting off the New Year with a clear list of priorities to move into your first Sprint and you’ll feel a greater sense of accomplishment for doing so.

While I’m not a fan of planning just because it’s a new year, this year has turned things upside down and I think it’s warranted to look at your Backlog because outside circumstances have changed. You should look at your Backlog periodically to do this; maybe every six months or so. And you should also look at it during any significant life change such as a marriage, divorce, arrival of child or job change. Some items may fall off the list, others may be added, and those goals that fell to the bottom may one day return to the top when they become possible again.

I do encourage a year end Retrospective, and we’ll talk about that in next week’s blog. Until then, have a great holiday.