Business analysis glossary
Backlog
What it is
A backlog is an ordered list of work a team may do, such as stories, bugs and improvements. The product backlog holds everything wanted for the product, with the most valuable and best-understood items at the top. Items near the top are small and detailed enough to start; items further down stay rough until they get closer to being needed.
Why it matters
A clear, prioritised backlog means the team always knows what to take next, and stakeholders can see what is planned, what is not and why. Regular backlog refinement, where the analyst and product owner clarify the next items, keeps the team from running out of ready work during a sprint.
Example
The Marlow Online Store backlog has "show delivery cost early" at the top, followed by "fix broken coupon field" and, much lower, "add gift wrapping". The product owner reorders it each week as priorities change. Because it is a living list, new ideas are added at any time, but nothing is built until it earns a high enough position.