---
Title: "What Is a Product Backlog? Definition and Example"
Url: "https://computer.io/glossary/product-backlog"
Topic: "Product and engineering"
Description: "A product backlog is a prioritized list of features, fixes and tasks a product team plans to work on. How it's managed, an example, and sprint backlog."
---

# What is a product backlog?

A product backlog is a prioritized, ever-changing list of everything a product team might work on, including features, bug fixes, technical improvements and research, with the most valuable items at the top, ready to be pulled into upcoming sprints.

## Example

| Item | Type | Priority |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scheduled CSV export | Feature | High |
| Fix SSO timeout | Bug | High |
| Upgrade database | Tech debt | Medium |

## Product backlog vs sprint backlog

The product backlog holds all potential work; the sprint backlog is what the team commits to this sprint.

## Backlog refinement

Regularly clarify, estimate and reprioritize items, using customer impact data.

## FAQ

### Who owns the product backlog?

The product owner or product manager.

### How often should the backlog be groomed?

Commonly weekly or each sprint.

### How big should a backlog be?

Small enough to stay relevant; archive stale items.

## Related terms

- [Agile sprint](https://computer.io/glossary/agile-sprint)
- [Issue tracking](https://computer.io/glossary/issue-tracking)

## How Computer helps

- [Meet computer](https://devrev.ai/meet-computer)

## Further reading

- [Sprints agile development](https://devrev.ai/blog/sprints-agile-development)