B
Home
Glossary
Backlog Refinement
Project Management Glossary

Backlog Refinement

Backlog Refinement (or grooming) is the process of reviewing and updating items in the Backlog to ensure they are properly defined, prioritised, and ready to be worked on.

Cara Bulteel
2 mins
·
Updated
November 28, 2025

What is Backlog Refinement?

Backlog Refinement (or grooming) is the process of reviewing and updating items in the Backlog to ensure they are properly defined, prioritised, and ready to be worked on. This is an ongoing process that helps teams stay organized and ensures that high-priority tasks are clearly understood.

How to Apply Backlog Refinement?

  • Hold regular Backlog Refinement sessions with your team to review upcoming tasks, clarify details, and re-prioritise work as needed.
  • In each session, ensure tasks are well-defined with clear Acceptance Criteria, estimates, and dependencies.
  • Remove outdated or irrelevant tasks to keep the Backlog manageable.
  • Tip: Schedule Backlog Refinement sessions weekly or bi-weekly to keep the team aligned and prepared for upcoming work.
About the author
Cara Bulteel
Cara Bulteel leads Customer Success for agencies at Magnetic, helping creative and professional services teams get the most out of the platform from day one. With a sharp eye for operational nuance and a deep understanding of agency workflows, she works closely with clients to ensure seamless onboarding, long-term adoption, and measurable outcomes.
Client Relationship Management
Agency Operations Expertise
Process Improvement
On this page
Related terms
Related Resources

Refine, Prioritise and Move Work Forward in Magnetic

Start a free trial and see Magnetic with your own projects. No credit card required.