DEEP is a mnemonic used to describe the qualities of a good Product Backlog. A backlog that follows the DEEP characteristics is more manageable, effective, and useful for Agile teams. Here's what each letter stands for:

🅓 — Detailed Appropriately

Not every backlog item needs to be fully detailed right away. Items that are high in priority (i.e., likely to be picked for the next sprint) should be broken down and clearly defined, with acceptance criteria and necessary technical details.

Lower-priority items can remain rough or vague and are refined as they move up in priority. This prevents waste and overplanning.

🅔 — Estimated

Each item in the backlog should be estimated — typically using story points, t-shirt sizing, or time-based methods — to understand its complexity or effort. Estimations help with sprint planning, forecasting, and workload balancing.

Even rough estimates are valuable early in planning.

🅔 — Emergent

The backlog is not static. It evolves and grows over time based on:

• User feedback

• Market trends

• New business goals

• Technical discoveries

New items can be added, and existing items can be updated, removed, or re-prioritized.

🅟 — Prioritized (or Properly Ordered)

Backlog items must be ordered based on business value, risk, urgency, or strategic importance. Items that deliver the most value or are most urgent should appear at the top so they're tackled first.

This ensures the team always works on what matters most.

🗂️ Sample Product Backlog – "ToDoMaster" Task Management App

1. User Signup and Login

• User Story: As a user, I want to sign up with my email and password so I can create an account.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: To Do

2. Task Creation and Deletion

• User Story: As a user, I want to create and delete tasks so I can manage my daily to-dos.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: In Progress

3. Mark Task as Completed

• User Story: As a user, I want to mark tasks as completed so I can track what I've done.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 2 Story Points

• Status: To Do

4. Bug: Completed Tasks Reappear

• Description: Fix the bug where completed tasks reappear after refreshing the app.

• Type: Bug

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 2 Story Points

• Status: To Do

5. Categorize Tasks by Project

• User Story: As a user, I want to organize my tasks into different projects so I can separate personal and work items.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

6. Research Notification Services

• Task: Research different push notification services like Firebase and OneSignal to decide on integration.

• Type: Spike (Research)

• Priority: Low

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

7. UI Improvement: Dark Mode Compatibility

• Task: Improve the app's UI to ensure full compatibility with dark mode themes.

• Type: Improvement

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

📱 Product Backlog – Mobile Banking App

1. User Registration

• User Story: As a new user, I want to register using my mobile number and OTP so that I can create a secure banking account.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: To Do

2. Login with Biometric Authentication

• User Story: As a user, I want to log in using fingerprint or Face ID so that I can quickly access the app securely.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: In Progress

3. Check Account Balance

• User Story: As a user, I want to check my account balance in real time so I can stay updated on my funds.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 2 Story Points

• Status: To Do

4. Bug: Transaction History Loading Slowly

• Description: Fix the issue where the transaction history takes more than 10 seconds to load on a 4G network.

• Type: Bug

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

5. Transfer Money via UPI

• User Story: As a user, I want to transfer money instantly using UPI so I can send funds to friends and family.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: To Do

6. Setup Transaction Alerts

• User Story: As a user, I want to receive SMS and email alerts after each transaction so I can stay informed.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: To Do

7. Dark Mode Support

• User Story: As a user, I want the app to support dark mode to reduce eye strain at night.

• Type: Enhancement

• Priority: Low

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

8. Research: Security Compliance Standards

• Task: Research and summarize RBI's latest mobile banking app security guidelines for implementation.

• Type: Spike (Research)

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

9. In-App Support Chat

• User Story: As a user, I want to chat with customer support within the app so I can resolve issues instantly.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

10. Set Spending Limits

• User Story: As a user, I want to set daily spending limits on my debit card to control my expenses.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: To Do

🎓 Product Backlog – Learning Management System (LMS)

1. Student Course Enrollment

• User Story: As a student, I want to enroll in available courses so I can begin learning.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: To Do

2. Instructor Course Creation

• User Story: As an instructor, I want to create new courses with video, text, and quiz content so that I can teach students online.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: In Progress

3. Track Student Progress

• User Story: As an instructor, I want to see student progress reports so I can assess learning outcomes.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: To Do

4. Bug: Quiz Not Submitting on Mobile

• Description: Fix the issue where the quiz fails to submit when accessed via the mobile browser.

• Type: Bug

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: To Do

5. Add Certificate Generation

• User Story: As a student, I want to receive a downloadable certificate upon course completion.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

6. Course Search with Filters

• User Story: As a user, I want to search for courses and filter them by category, level, and rating.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

7. Email Notification for New Courses

• User Story: As a student, I want to receive email alerts when a new course is published in my favorite subjects.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Low

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

8. Research: AI-Based Course Recommendations

• Task: Research available machine learning models to implement a recommendation engine for students.

• Type: Spike (Research)

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

9. Accessibility Compliance Audit

• Task: Perform an accessibility audit to ensure the LMS is WCAG 2.1 compliant.

• Type: Technical Task

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: To Do

10. Feedback Form for Courses

• User Story: As a student, I want to give feedback after completing a course to share my experience.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: To Do

🛒 Product Backlog – E-Commerce Website

1. Add Products to Shopping Cart

• User Story: As a customer, I want to add items to a shopping cart so I can review them before purchasing.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: To Do

2. Guest Checkout Option

• User Story: As a user, I want to checkout without creating an account so I can shop quickly.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

3. Bug: Incorrect Discount on Sale Items

• Description: Fix the bug where applying a coupon incorrectly stacks on sale prices.

• Type: Bug

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 2 Story Points

• Status: To Do

4. Product Reviews and Ratings

• User Story: As a customer, I want to leave a review after a purchase so I can share my experience.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

5. Inventory Auto-Update Integration

• User Story: As a store admin, I want to integrate with the warehouse system so that product availability is updated in real time.

• Type: Technical Task

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

🏥 Product Backlog – Healthcare Appointment App

1. Book Appointments with Doctors

• User Story: As a patient, I want to book an appointment with a doctor so I can get medical consultation online or in-person.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: In Progress

2. Prescription Upload by Doctor

• User Story: As a doctor, I want to upload and share a prescription with patients after the consultation.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: To Do

3. Video Call Integration for Telemedicine

• User Story: As a patient, I want to consult with my doctor over a secure video call.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

4. Bug: Appointment Time Slot Not Updating

• Description: Fix issue where reserved time slots still appear as available.

• Type: Bug

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 2 Story Points

• Status: To Do

📊 Product Backlog – Business Intelligence Dashboard (SaaS)

1. Create Custom Reports

• User Story: As a business analyst, I want to build custom reports using drag-and-drop widgets.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: High

• Estimation: 8 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

2. Schedule Email Reports

• User Story: As a manager, I want to schedule daily reports to be sent to my inbox.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

3. Integrate with Google Analytics

• User Story: As a user, I want to connect my GA account to import traffic data.

• Type: Feature

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 5 Story Points

• Status: To Do

4. Research: Data Masking Solutions for PII

• Task: Evaluate third-party tools and libraries for masking sensitive customer data before export.

• Type: Spike (Research)

• Priority: Medium

• Estimation: 3 Story Points

• Status: Backlog

🧾 Case Study: Product Backlog Creation for "FitBuddy" – A Fitness Tracking Mobile App

📌 Background

A startup named FitBuddy wants to build a mobile app that helps users track workouts, monitor calories, and stay motivated. The team follows the Scrum framework and begins with the creation of a Product Backlog.

The Product Owner, Developers, Scrum Master, and key stakeholders collaborate to define what should go into the initial backlog.

🎯 Goal

To create a structured and prioritized Product Backlog for the first release of the FitBuddy app, including core features, enhancements, technical tasks, and research work.

👥 Stakeholders Involved

• Product Owner: Mia

• Scrum Master: Ravi

• Developers: 5 members

• Marketing Team, Fitness Experts, End Users (via surveys)

📝 Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Requirement Gathering

• Conducted market research and interviews with 30 fitness enthusiasts.

• Identified key pain points: lack of personalization, confusing UI, and missing habit tracking.

Step 2: Writing User Stories

• Converted raw requirements into user stories using the format:

  As a [user type], I want [feature] so that [benefit].

Examples:

• As a user, I want to log my workouts so I can track my fitness progress.

• As a user, I want to set fitness goals so I can stay motivated.

• As a user, I want reminders for workouts so I don't miss a session.

Step 3: Estimation

• The team used Story Points (Fibonacci series) to estimate effort: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...

• Quick planning poker session was held.

Step 4: Prioritization

• Product Owner applied MoSCoW (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, Won't-have) and business value logic.

• Items that deliver high user value with low effort were prioritized first.

Step 5: Creating the Initial Product Backlog

📦 Sample Product Backlog Items (Summarized)

1. User Signup/Login with Email and Google

   • Must-have, 5 Story Points

   • Status: To Do

2. Log Workouts (Cardio, Strength, Yoga)

   • Must-have, 8 Story Points

   • Status: To Do

3. Set Fitness Goals (Daily Steps, Calories Burned)

   • Must-have, 5 Story Points

   • Status: In Progress

4. Push Notification Reminders for Workouts

   • Should-have, 3 Story Points

   • Status: Backlog

5. Weekly Progress Graph

   • Could-have, 5 Story Points

   • Status: Backlog

6. Bug: App crashes on Samsung Galaxy S21 during login

   • Must-fix, 3 Story Points

   • Status: To Do

7. Research integration of Apple HealthKit and Google Fit

   • Spike (Research), 5 Story Points

   • Status: Backlog

8. Dark Mode Theme Option

   • Could-have, 2 Story Points

   • Status: Backlog