Product Backlog Item (PBI)
Overview
A Product Backlog Item (PBI) in Azure DevOps represents a unit of work in an Agile or Scrum-based project.
It typically describes a feature, enhancement, bug fix, or requirement that delivers value to the end user or customer.
In short:
A PBI is a work item that defines what needs to be done, why, and often for whom, but not necessarily how.
Typical Structure of a PBI
A PBI usually contains:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | A short summary of the item (e.g., "Allow users to reset password") |
| Description | Detailed explanation of the requirement, often using user story format |
| Acceptance Criteria | Conditions that define when the PBI is considered "done" |
| Priority/Stack Rank | Determines ordering in the backlog |
| Effort/Story Points | Estimation of complexity or workload |
| Tags | Used for categorization or filtering |
| Links | Associated tasks, bugs, tests, commits, or pull requests |
| Iteration Path | Sprint or timebox the item is assigned to |
| Assigned To | Developer or team member responsible |
Conceptual Purpose
- Drives Agile delivery by breaking down features into manageable work units
- Helps product owners prioritize based on customer value
- Enables tracking, planning, and sprint management
- Forms the foundation of Sprint Backlogs, burn-down charts, and velocity tracking
Advantages
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Customer focus | Written from the perspective of delivering user value |
| Traceability | Links to code, tests, bugs, and releases |
| Collaboration tool | Shared understanding between PMs, devs, QA, and stakeholders |
| Supports Agile/Scrum | Core building block of iterative development |
| Customizable | Fields and workflow states can be tailored to your process |
Drawbacks or Considerations
| Limitation | Note |
|---|---|
| Quality depends on clarity | Poorly written PBIs lead to misunderstandings |
| Can get too granular | Risk of micromanagement if over-detailed |
| Not ideal for technical debt alone | Better to use tasks or bugs for internal-only work |
| Can be misused as tasks | PBIs should describe value, not just steps to do something |
Example PBI in Azure DevOps
| Field | Example Value |
|---|---|
| Title | "As a user, I want to filter product listings by category" |
| Description | "Allow filtering by category in the search results view…" |
| Acceptance Criteria | - User sees category list - Selecting filters results |
| Story Points | 5 |
| Assigned To | dev1@company.com |
| Iteration Path | Sprint 2025-08-01 |
PBI vs. Task vs. Bug
| Type | Description | Level of Detail |
|---|---|---|
| PBI | User-focused requirement or feature | High |
| Task | Technical step to implement a PBI | Low |
| Bug | Defect or unexpected behavior in system | Medium |
Break down PBIs into tasks, typically during sprint planning.
Common Workflow for a PBI
- Created by a Product Owner
- Prioritized in the Product Backlog
- Refined during backlog grooming
- Estimated in Story Points
- Pulled into Sprint and broken into tasks
- Developed & Tested
- Moved to Done when all acceptance criteria are met
Related Azure DevOps Concepts
- Boards: Visualize PBIs on Kanban boards
- Sprints: PBIs are pulled into sprints for planning and execution
- Backlogs: Organize and prioritize PBIs across epics and features
- Queries: Filter and report on PBIs
- Dashboards: Track progress and metrics on PBI delivery
Summary
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Backlog Item (PBI) | A unit of value-delivering work in Azure DevOps, typically part of an Agile process |
| Purpose | Describe features, enhancements, or requirements from the user perspective |
| Used by | Product Owners, Developers, QA, Scrum Masters |
| Helps with | Planning, prioritization, visibility, and iterative delivery |