HKSM
Backlog
A prioritized, user-focused collection of requirements that the team manages to guide product development.
Key Points
- Items are ranked so the highest-value, most urgent work appears at the top.
- The backlog is dynamic; items can be added, refined, split, removed, or re-ordered as needs change.
- Each item should be clear, testable, and estimated to support planning and delivery.
- It is the single transparent source of upcoming product work, not a schedule or baseline.
Example
On a customer portal project, the team maintains a backlog with items such as "As a customer, I can reset my password" and "As an admin, I can view user activity." The product owner ranks these items, and the team refines the top ones so they are ready for the next iteration.
PMP Example Question
Which artifact provides a prioritized list of user-focused requirements for a product?
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Issue Log
- Backlog
- Project Schedule
Correct Answer: C — Backlog
Explanation: A backlog is a ranked, user-centered set of product requirements. The WBS decomposes scope, an issue log tracks problems, and a schedule sequences activities over time.
