Backlog

Backlog is a list of all Objectives and Defects in a stream that have not yet been planned into an iteration.

The backlog is a dynamic list of tasks that changes according to priorities and current business goals of the project.

Purpose of the Backlog

• Serves as a source of tasks for upcoming work within a stream.
• Allows focus only on relevant, actionable tasks.
• Keeps unplanned tasks separate from those already scheduled.
• Helps reduce visual clutter in the main list of stream goals.

Backlog is not a required component. Objectives and Defects may exist outside of it or be placed in it temporarily.

Access and Permissions

• View: available to all stream participants.
• Edit: allowed only for users with Admin or Ruler roles.

How are items added to the Backlog?

• You can create an Objective without assigning it to an iteration — it is automatically placed in the Backlog.
• You can move existing items back to the Backlog by removing them from planning:
  • Unlink Objective-Iteration
  • Unlink Task for Defect-Iteration

What can be edited?

In the Backlog, you can:

• Edit task descriptions
• Update effort estimates
• Set or change priorities
• Add/edit task relationships (e.g., Objective ↔ Task, Defect ↔ Task)
• Change the number of items from 0 to N at any time

Interaction with Iterations

• When an Objective is assigned to an iteration, it is automatically removed from the Backlog.
• When all Tasks fixing a Defect are assigned to iterations, the Defect is also removed from the Backlog.

Restrictions

The Backlog cannot contain:

• Objectives that are already linked to an iteration.
• Defects where all associated Tasks are already planned in iterations.