Product managers can use an idea funnel backlog to transform their idea pool into a product backlog, which can then guide the planned feature implementations or user stories.
A standard product backlog consists of three layers:
1. Raw requests and ideas (gathered from customer support, product owners, or product teams)
2. User stories (derived from requests or ideas by a product owner based on current product strategy or request popularity)
3. Planned state for user stories (these are displayed on a Kanban Board)
Utilizing an idea funnel backlog can aid you in selecting new ideas to prioritize for your upcoming sprint. The funnel structure facilitates the conversion of many ideas into manageable, pertinent stories or features that can be implemented.
Teams looking for a framework to break free from reactive sprint planning cycles or task-oriented thinking can benefit from an idea funnel backlog. The structure enables teams to concentrate on longer-term objectives and gain predictability in managing their idea backlogs.
When to use an Idea Funnel Backlog
A backlog of ideas in a funnel can prove advantageous for product teams seeking assistance with the following:
- Cost management: clusters of unverified concepts may turn out to be expensive. Hence product teams must prioritize and refine their backlogs regularly.
- Concentration on high-yield tasks: by prioritizing your ideas, you focus on user stories or features that could have a more significant impact and prevent any ideas from being neglected.
- Promoting innovation: strive to balance validating concepts and maintain the potential value of anything that falls behind the queue while ensuring nothing is forgotten when relegated to the back of the line.
