Work Problems: Is Your Backlog Too "Task-y"?
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Video Description
Can your CFO read your backlog and understand what you're building? How about your biggest customer? If the answer is no, you've got a problem.
Work Problems - the series that exposes and fixes the issues killing your productivity and success.
The test that reveals the problem: If stakeholders can't understand your backlog without a technical dictionary, you're building the wrong thing the right way.
Bad backlog items (too task-y): ❌ "Migrate user data to JSON column types" ❌ "Refactor authentication middleware" ❌ "Update API endpoints for mobile compatibility"
Good backlog items (value-focused): ✅ "Make customer searches 3x faster" ✅ "Let users log in with their Google account" ✅ "Support offline mode for mobile users"
Why this matters: ✓ Stakeholders can't give feedback on work they don't understand ✓ Nobody can advocate for technical jargon ✓ You're missing better solutions by jumping straight to HOW ✓ Your priorities become disconnected from business value
The fix: Write backlog items so someone who understands the business (but isn't technical) can grasp what you're doing and why it matters.
Your backlog should tell a story about customer value, not technical implementation.
#WorkProblems #ProductBacklog #Agile #ProductManagement #TechLeadership
Video Info
- Duration: 1:45
- Published: September 25, 2025
