What is backlog grooming (aka backlog refinement)?

Backlog grooming, also known as backlog refinement, is a critical process in Agile project management where the product owner and managers collaborate with the entire team to review, prioritize, and refine the list of tasks in the backlog, which may include product bugs, new features, and technical debt. This process ensures that the backlog is ready for the team to work on in the next sprint, differentiating from sprint planning, which sets the sprint's goals and tasks. Backlog grooming is an ongoing, collaborative activity with the objective of preparing detailed user stories, addressing potential roadblocks, and aligning the team with the product strategy to enhance efficiency and product delivery. The DEEP framework—detailed appropriately, estimated, emergent, and prioritized—is a guideline for managing an effective product backlog. Backlog grooming is essential for maintaining a dynamic and prioritized backlog that aligns with the product roadmap, enabling the team to approach development in an organized and efficient manner.