How to Manage Backlog in Jira
A well-managed backlog is the foundation of good sprint planning. Here's how to structure and maintain your backlog in Jira.
Step-by-step
Create a backlog view
In Jira, there is a dedicated backlog view — find it in the sidebar under your project.
Define your priority system
Use Jira's custom fields to add a priority field (P0/P1/P2 or Critical/High/Medium/Low). Agree on definitions with your team so priority is consistent.
Groom regularly
Run a backlog refinement session every 1–2 weeks. Review the top 20–30 items: update estimates, remove items that are no longer relevant, and add acceptance criteria to anything sprint-ready.
Use epics or initiatives for grouping
Group related backlog items under epics or parent issues so you can see the bigger picture. Link epics to your Jira roadmap for end-to-end visibility.
Archive, don't delete
When an item is no longer relevant, move it to an archive or "Won't Do" status rather than deleting it. This preserves decision history for future reference.
Pro tips
- A healthy backlog has 2–3 sprints worth of refined, ready-to-pull items at the top.
- Backlog items without acceptance criteria should never enter a sprint.
- Use Jira automations to flag items that haven't been updated in 30+ days — stale backlog items are a common problem.