What variables should a Product Owner consider when ordering the Product Backlog? (Choose the best answer)

The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. Ordering the Product Backlog is the primary tool to achieve this. The ordering is not based on a single, rigid formula but is a dynamic process. The Product Owner must consider multiple variables—such as business value, risk, dependencies, cost of delay, and market opportunities—to determine the sequence that best achieves the Product Goal and optimizes the value delivered over time. This holistic approach, captured by option E, reflects the strategic nature of the Product Owner role.

A. Effort first, then value: This approach is incorrect because it prioritizes ease of implementation over delivering value, which is the primary goal of the Product Owner.
B. Development cohesion as indicated by the Developers: While developer input on technical dependencies is valuable, ordering solely for cohesion subordinates product value to implementation convenience.
C. Lowest development cost in order to maximize ROI: This is a flawed strategy. Maximizing ROI involves balancing cost and return; focusing only on the lowest cost items can lead to a low-value product.
D. The availability of resources and skills for implementation: This is a practical constraint and a valid input, but it is not the guiding principle for ordering. It is one of many factors considered.
F. The availability of resources and skills for implementation: This is a duplicate of option D and is incorrect for the same reason; it's a constraint, not the primary driver for ordering.

1. Schwaber, K., & Sutherland, J. (2020). The Scrum Guide. Scrum.org.

Page 5: "The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. How this is done may vary widely across organizations, Scrum Teams, and individuals." This supports the idea that the PO uses the most appropriate methods (Option E).

Page 5: "The Product Owner is also accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes: ... Ordering Product Backlog items". The guide explicitly states ordering is a key accountability tied to the goal of value maximization.

2. Hess, E. D. (2014). An Introduction to Agile Development (Technical Note UVA-OM-1571). University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Page 3: "The product owner prioritizes this list of features, known as the product backlog, based on business value... The goal is to have the team always working on the most valuable features." This emphasizes that value is the core criterion, which is central to Option E's concept of "optimizing the value received."

3. Maximini, D. (2015). The Scrum Culture: Introducing Agile Methods in Organizations. Springer International Publishing.

Page 61, Section 4.2.2: "The PO is responsible for the economic success of the product... To achieve this, he manages the Product Backlog. He specifies the items in the Product Backlog and is responsible for their prioritization." This links the PO's responsibility for economic success directly to backlog ordering, reinforcing that the PO must use whatever variables are appropriate to achieve that goal.