Xmas Special: Running Experiments Over Managing A Tasklist, aka The Backlog With Vasco Duarte

In the third episode of the “5 Wishes for 2025” series, Vasco Duarte takes aim at one of the most common anti-patterns in software development: the obsession with managing tasks instead of discovering what truly works. 

He calls on teams to shift their mindset from backlog management to running experiments, creating a culture of learning and rapid innovation.

From Backlog Secretary to Product Scientist

“Managing a backlog is like planning a road trip by focusing on the gas stops instead of the destination.”

Vasco reflects on how teams often lose sight of their goals, becoming bogged down in task management instead of pursuing real customer value. He humorously compares this approach to being a “backlog secretary,” organizing tasks while forgetting why the project began in the first place.

His solution? A radical shift from task obsession to a learning-first approach driven by rapid experiments.

The Power of 24-Hour Experiments

“Why wait for weeks to learn something you could test in a day?”

Vasco shares real-world success stories of teams embracing a rapid experimentation mindset:

• The Skeptical Client: In just 48 hours, this team launched two market experiments and gained actionable feedback.

• The Experiment-First Startup: Meeting twice weekly to design and run experiments, this startup learns more in a week than most teams do in a month.

These examples showcase how rapid testing leads to faster learning and greater customer impact.

The Build-Measure-Learn Framework

“Or as I like to call it, the ‘Question-Experiment-Insight’ cycle – it’s like having a GPS for product development.”

Vasco introduces a three-step approach to running experiments:

1. Start with a Concrete Goal: Define measurable business targets using a Business Value Equation.

2. Create a Metrics Tree: Break down goals into daily metrics that track progress.

3. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment: Test new features, tweaks, and ideas quickly to gain insights and adjust course.

He highlights a team’s transformation from a “feature factory” to “experiment mode,” where the Product Owner posed questions and the team creatively solved them. This cycle drives meaningful insights instead of aimless task completion.

A Wish for 2025: From Features to Insights

“A backlog full of tasks is like a restaurant full of recipes – it means nothing until you know what your customers actually want to eat!”

Vasco’s third wish for 2025 is a world where teams prioritize learning over task management. By embracing the “Question-Experiment-Insight” cycle, teams can focus on solving customer problems and creating real value.

This mindset shift transforms teams from task managers into product scientists, driving faster, smarter innovation.

See It in Action: Global Agile Summit 2025

“Want to learn how real teams are running experiments and making an impact? Join us in Tallinn!”

Vasco invites listeners to the Global Agile Summit 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia, where teams will share stories about adopting rapid experimentation. Holiday listeners can snag a special “White Wednesday” deal: a 75% discount on tickets. Visit GlobalAgileSummit.com to claim your Super Early Bird ticket.

About Vasco Duarte

Vasco Duarte is a thought leader in the Agile space, co-founder of Agile Finland, and host of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, which has over 10 million downloads. Author of NoEstimates: How To Measure Project Progress Without Estimating, Vasco is a sought-after speaker and consultant helping organizations embrace Agile practices to achieve business success.

You can link with Vasco Duarte on LinkedIn.