When multiple teams are working together, should each team maintain a separate Product Backlog?

When multiple teams are working together on a product, it is essential for them to maintain a single, unified Product Backlog rather than separate backlogs for each team. This approach promotes alignment and clarity regarding the overall objectives and deliverables of the product. A single Product Backlog ensures that all teams are working towards the same priority items, facilitating better coordination and collaboration across teams.

Having individual backlogs can lead to misalignment, where teams may focus on different priorities, potentially resulting in duplicated efforts or conflicting work. It can also complicate the process of managing scope and requirements, making it challenging to maintain a cohesive vision for the product.

By managing a single Product Backlog, the Product Owner can prioritize work in a holistic manner, considering the needs of the entire product and all teams involved. This fosters transparency and encourages collaboration among team members as they can see how their work fits into the greater context of the project. The collaborative nature of Scrum is upheld, as teams can synchronize their efforts effectively, making it easier to deliver increments that contribute to the product's goals.