## What Problems Occur When a Product Backlog Becomes Bloated? A bloated Product Backlog can turn into a list of unfulfilled promises, contradictory ideas, outdated problems, and items that are no longer relevant. It becomes unmanageable, confusing, and erodes trust when expectations are not met. >[!metaphor] >A bloated Product Backlog is like a fridge stuffed with leftovers from months ago. The fresh ingredients get buried under moldy containers, and no one trusts what’s still good to eat. Likewise, outdated and irrelevant backlog items crowd out valuable work and make stakeholders doubt what will ever be delivered. ## Works Consulted 1. [000267 Battling the Bloated Product Backlog](https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/battling-bloated-product-backlog) | Scrum.org | Accessed 25 Jul. 2025. ## Connections follows:: [[Entry Point 3 (Dysfunctions, Anti-Patterns, and Problems)]] topics:: [[Product Backlog]], [[Backlog Refinement]], [[Trust]] Contra | [[1.5 The Product Backlog Provides Transparency and Alignment]] -> It's purpose is to provide transparency and alignment, but when we let it become bloated it will have the opposite impact. ![[Footer]]