All Things Product with Teresa and Petra Big Backlogs
Apr 29, 2025
19:18
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
