BONUS: Challenging the Agile Status Quo with #NoBacklogs, Allan Kelly

In this BONUS episode, we explore the provocative ideas of Allan Kelly, the author who introduced #NoBacklogs to the Agile community. Allan shares his insights on why traditional backlogs may be hindering true agility, offers practical alternatives, and explains how teams can maintain accountability while focusing on outcomes rather than outputs.

The Problem with Traditional Backlogs

“Backlogs keep ideas for far too long.”

Allan Kelly challenges the conventional wisdom of maintaining extensive backlogs in Agile environments. He distinguishes between sprint backlogs and product backlogs, highlighting how the latter often becomes a repository for stale ideas that outlive their relevance. Allan argues that this practice undermines the adaptability that should be at the core of Agile methodologies, transforming what should be a flexible approach into a more rigid, traditional project management framework.

Outcome-Focused Alternatives

“What are you doing to try and change the world?”

Instead of lengthy backlogs filled with specific tasks and features, Allan advocates for approaches centered on outcomes and meaningful change. He discusses the concept of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a form of “test first management” – a powerful framework that shifts focus from outputs to measurable impacts. This perspective encourages teams to consider the broader purpose of their work rather than simply executing a predetermined list of tasks.

Balancing Structure and Flexibility

“There should be a ‘Best before’ date for all backlog items.”

Finding the right balance between necessary structure and agile flexibility is crucial for effective delivery. Allan suggests implementing a “best before” date for all backlog items to prevent the accumulation of outdated ideas. He emphasizes starting with the Sprint Goal as a guiding principle, using it to create focus and purpose that allows teams to adapt their approach while maintaining a clear direction.

Breaking Free from Traditional Mindsets

“The work to do is not a fixed entity.”

According to Allan, the reliance on extensive backlogs has perpetuated traditional project management mindsets within supposedly Agile organizations. He challenges the underlying assumption that the scope of work is a predetermined, fixed entity waiting to be discovered and documented. Instead, he suggests embracing the evolving nature of work, allowing teams to respond to changing priorities and insights as they emerge.

Maintaining Accountability Without Backlogs

“Test first management as a management innovation that helps focus on goals, and measure progress by the teams.”

Allan addresses concerns about accountability by offering practical approaches to tracking progress without traditional backlogs. He emphasizes the importance of regular demonstrations of working solutions and assessing whether these demonstrations align with the team’s strategic direction. His concept of “test first management” provides a framework for focusing on goals while measuring genuine progress rather than simply tracking task completion.

Resources for Deeper Learning

“Honey, I shrunk the backlog.”

For listeners interested in exploring these ideas further, Allan recommends his YouTube presentation “Honey, I shrunk the backlog,” which offers additional insights and practical guidance on implementing a #NoBacklogs approach in Agile teams.

About Allan Kelly

Allan Kelly is the author of #noprojects: A Culture of Continuous Value, and an outspoken Agile practitioner that helped introduce the idea of #NoBacklogs to the Agile community. His work spans several decades, and includes some breakthrough contributions that he shares in his books and conference talks. He is the author, among others, of Project Myopia: Why projects damage software, Continuous Digital: An agile alternative to projects for digital business, The Art of Agile Product Ownership: A Guide for Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Entrepreneurs, and Xanpan: Team Centric Agile Software Development.

You can link with Allan Kelly on LinkedIn.