From backlog to strategy

A strategic backlog is selective. It lists the work on deck for the next sprint and a small set of second-level priorities for the next few months. Beyond that cutoff, items add clutter that slows review and hides what matters. Keep the very top arranged to mirror the next sprint so each entry carries an implicit timeline, not a vague top priority tag. This link to plans makes the backlog actionable.

Everything below the cutoff belongs elsewhere. Create separate lists for longer-term ideas so the main backlog stays lean and credible. Add a simple bucketing system for the remaining items, for example, bugs, customer requests, technical debt, and strategic initiatives. Categories help you scan trade-offs quickly and prevent urgent noise from burying important work. Teams that throw every request into one list create a black hole backlog that wastes planning time and increases the risk of missing high-impact items.