Who is responsible for the Product Backlog?

The Product Owner is responsible for the Product Backlog. This role entails managing the Product Backlog effectively to ensure that it reflects the needs and goals of the business and stakeholders. The Product Owner prioritizes backlog items based on value, feedback, and requirements from stakeholders, ensuring that the development team works on the most valuable tasks first. By continuously refining and updating the Product Backlog, the Product Owner plays a crucial role in maximizing the value delivered by the Scrum team.

In Scrum, while the Development Team contributes to the Product Backlog by providing estimates and feedback, they do not own it. The Scrum Master facilitates the process and helps the team adhere to Scrum practices but is not responsible for managing the backlog. Stakeholders provide input and feedback, but they do not have the authority or responsibility for organizing or prioritizing the Product Backlog items. Thus, the Product Owner's role is pivotal in aligning the backlog with the project's vision and ensuring that it evolves as necessary through collaboration with stakeholders and the Development Team.