All Things Product with Teresa and Petra

Big Backlogs

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Topics Covered:

  • The problem with traditional prioritization models like ICE and RICE
  • Why “avoid prioritization at all costs” is more than just a catchy phrase
  • Comparing and contrasting vs. spreadsheet-driven guesswork
  • Tactical ways to clean up your backlog:
  • Auto-closing old tickets
  • Archiving items no one understands
  • Using themes, initiatives, and user group tagging
  • The "Inbox Zero" approach to product management
  • How to use strategic filters (outcomes + customer needs) instead of prioritizing everything
  • The importance of early wins when inheriting a new product or team
  • Time-boxed onboarding for product folks who are new to a team
  • Real-world stories & examples:
  • Petra shares how automatic ticket pruning saved hundreds of items
  • Teresa’s database “one-day project” that took a full week (and what it reveals about hidden work)
  • How to carve out time for discovery—even in a feature factory

    • Resources & Links:

    • Follow Teresa Torres: https://ProductTalk.org
    • Follow Petra Wille: https://Petra-Wille.com

      • Mentioned in the episode:

      • ICE, RICE, MICE, and VICE Scoring Models developed by Sean Ellis
      • Jira
      • My Organization Doesn't Work That Way - All Things Product with Teresa & Petra
      • Opportunity Solution Trees: Visualize Your Discovery to Stay Aligned and Drive Outcomes
      • Inbox Zero coined by Merlin Mann
      • Ask the Community: What Do You Do When You Inherit a Giant Product Backlog?
      • STRONG Product People: A Complete Guide to Developing Great Product Managers - Book by Petra Wille
      • Illustration from Petra’s book about early wins and building trust during onboarding
        • ...more
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        All Things Product with Teresa and PetraBy Petra Wille & Teresa Torres