Who owns the product backlog and prioritization ?

The product backlog is primarily owned by the Product Owner, who is responsible for its management and prioritization. As the key stakeholder representing the voice of the customer and business, the Product Owner ensures that the backlog reflects the most valuable and relevant work for the development team. This involves gathering input from stakeholders, users, and the development team to understand their needs and priorities. The Product Owner uses this information to prioritize backlog items based on factors such as user value, business goals, technical feasibility, and market trends. While the development team contributes by providing insights on technical constraints and effort estimates, the final decision on prioritization lies with the Product Owner. This responsibility requires a deep understanding of the product vision and strategic alignment, enabling the Product Owner to make informed decisions that drive the product’s success and ensure that the team focuses on delivering maximum value in each sprint.