Effective Product Backlog management is an ongoing process led by the Product Owner to maximize the value of the product. This involves more than just creating a list. It includes ordering items based on value, risk, and dependencies to best achieve the Product Goal (E). A key part of this is Product Backlog refinement, which involves breaking down large, ambiguous items into smaller, more precise ones (D) and working to reduce dependencies between them to allow for flexible ordering and smoother development (B). Furthermore, continuous collaboration and review with stakeholders are essential to ensure the backlog remains transparent, understood, and aligned with their needs and the evolving market (C).

A. Forecasting the effort of Product Backlog items.

This is incorrect because while the Product Owner uses estimates for ordering and planning, the Developers are the ones responsible for creating the estimates (sizing) of the work.

1. Schwaber

K.

& Sutherland

J. (2020). The Scrum Guide. Scrum.org.

Reference for D & E: Page 12

"Product Backlog" section: "Product Backlog management includes: ... Creating and clearly communicating Product Backlog items; Ordering Product Backlog items;..." Breaking down items is a core part of creating clear items (refinement).

Reference for C: Page 6

"Product Owner" section: "The Product Owner may represent the needs of many stakeholders in the Product Backlog... For Product Owners to succeed

the entire organization must respect their decisions." This necessitates reviewing the backlog with them.

Reference for B: While not explicitly stated as "reducing dependencies

" this is a crucial part of refinement. The guide states refinement is the "act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items." A key aspect of making items precise and ready for a Sprint is ensuring they are as independent as possible to facilitate flexible ordering and delivery.

Reference for A (Incorrect): Page 9

"Developers" section: "The Developers are always accountable for: ... Instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done; ... Sizing Product Backlog items."

2. Pichler

R. (2010). Agile Product Management with Scrum: Creating Products that Customers Love. Addison-Wesley Professional.

Reference for B

C

D

E: Chapter 3

"Working with the Product Backlog

" discusses grooming (refinement) activities which include breaking down items (p. 47)

collaborating with the team and stakeholders (p. 45)

and managing dependencies (p. 53). The entire chapter is dedicated to these management activities.