Product Backlog and its Components
1. What is a Product Backlog?
A Product Backlog is an ordered list of work items that is needed to develop and enhance a product. It acts as the single source of truth for all required work and helps the development team prioritize tasks to deliver value to users. The backlog evolves based on stakeholder input, user feedback, and business priorities.
Components of a Product Backlog:
Epics – Large, high-level objectives that break down into smaller pieces of work.
Initiatives – Collections of multiple epics working towards a common goal.
Features – Functional capabilities required to meet user needs.
User Stories – Short descriptions of a feature from the end user's perspective.
Acceptance Criteria – Conditions that must be met for a user story to be considered complete.
Tasks – Specific development efforts needed to implement a user story.
2. Structure of a Product Backlog Item (PBI)
1. Feature Format
A feature defines a specific functionality that provides value to users.
Format:
Feature Name: Short, descriptive title. ( Year: Product name/Title of project: Description)
Description: Overview of what the feature does.
Priority: High, Medium, Low.
Dependencies: Other features or tasks that must be completed first.
Acceptance Criteria: Measurable conditions to confirm completion.
2. User Story Format
A user story captures what the user wants to achieve.
Format:
As a [user role], I want to [goal], so that [benefit].
3. Acceptance Criteria Format
Acceptance criteria define the conditions under which the user story is considered done.
Format:
Given | When | Then.
4. Tasks Format
Tasks define specific development activities required to complete a user story. (usually created by developers or engineering manager unless)
Format:
Task Name: Short, descriptive title.
Description: What needs to be done.
Owner: Assigned developer/designer.
Estimated Effort: Time required (story points or hours).
Suggested for Features: Add as much information you can in your feature for example use cases, flowcharts, Scope, impacts , screenshot of design changes and links of BRD and Figma mocks or wireframes etc.
Always map user stories to the feature, add comments in the feature if anything has changed from initial discussion add at which date the discussion happened and scope was changed and tag your stakeholders.Who should create the feature?A feature can be created by product owner or the product manager but its the product owner’s job to fully describe the feature with scope and impacts and all the details.Note for User Story: Add all the possible details in user story as well.
It also depends on the company you are working for they might need to be less descriptive but in my experience its always good to add more information and acceptance criteria.
Note for AC: It should be in format of given when then and should be clear enough for developers to understand. The format also depends on company you work for.
Product Backlog Example: Ordering a Coffee
Initiative: Digital Coffee Ordering System
Goal: Enable a seamless online coffee ordering experience for users.
Epic: Ordering a Coffee
Description: This epic focuses on the process of selecting, customizing, purchasing, and receiving a coffee order via a mobile or web app.
Feature 1: 2025:Browse Coffee Menu
User Story 1: Browse Available Coffee Options
Description:
As a user, I want to browse the available coffee options, so that I can choose the one I like.
Acceptance Criteria:
The system must display a list of coffee options with descriptions and prices.
Users must be able to filter coffee options by type.
Users must be able to search for a coffee by name.
Tasks:
Design the coffee menu UI.
Implement API for fetching coffee options.
Feature 2: Customize Coffee Order
User Story 2.1: Customize Coffee Preferences
Description:
As a user, I want to customize my coffee (size, milk type, sugar level), so that I can get my preferred taste.
Acceptance Criteria:
Users can select the size (Small, Medium, Large).
Users can choose the milk type (Whole, Almond, Oat, No Milk).
Users can adjust sugar levels (No Sugar, Low, Medium, High).
Tasks:
Implement customization UI.
Add backend logic to store customization choices.
Another way of writing the acceptance criteria:
User Story 1.1: Browse Available Coffee Options
Description:
As a user, I want to browse the available coffee options, so that I can choose the one I like.
Acceptance Criteria (Given-When-Then Format):
Display Coffee Options
Given the user is on the coffee menu page,
When the page loads successfully,
Then the system must display a list of available coffee options with descriptions and prices.
Filter Coffee Options by Type
Given the user is on the coffee menu page,
When the user selects a filter option (e.g., Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino),
Then the system must display only the coffee options that match the selected filter.
Search for Coffee by Name
Given the user is on the coffee menu page,
When the user enters a coffee name in the search bar and submits the search,
Then the system must display coffee options that match the search query
User Story 2.1: Customize Coffee Preferences
Description:
As a user, I want to customize my coffee (size, milk type, sugar level), so that I can get my preferred taste.
Acceptance Criteria (Given-When-Then Format):
Select Coffee Size
Given the user is on the coffee customization page,
When the user selects a coffee size (Small, Medium, or Large),
Then the system must update the order with the chosen size.
Choose Milk Type
Given the user is on the coffee customization page,
When the user selects a milk type (Whole, Almond, Oat, No Milk),
Then the system must update the order with the selected milk preference.
Adjust Sugar Level
Given the user is on the coffee customization page,
When the user selects a sugar level (No Sugar, Low, Medium, High),
Then the system must update the order with the chosen sugar level.