Backlog Harvesting as Treasure Hunting
When you're at an antiques fair or browsing eBay, you don’t look at every item with equal scrutiny - you scan quickly, letting your eye catch something unusual, beautiful, or promising.
This is how I approach grooming a backlog of ideas, especially in transformation or innovation contexts.
There are WAY more ideas than we can possibly handle - so we need to learn to look for and spot the gems. We need practices that make the best ideas rise to the top.
Some ideas.
Aim to Curate, Not Catalogue
Instead of trying to assess every idea, curate a shortlist. Let go of the need to be exhaustive — depth over breadth.
Create a “Spotlight” Session Format
Instead of going line-by-line through a backlog, run sessions where:
Each participant brings 1–2 ideas they think are “hidden gems.”
They pitch them briefly, focusing on why it excites them, not just why it’s viable.
Others respond with questions, connections, or amplifications.
Invite Diverse Perspectives
Bring in people from different functions or backgrounds.
Ask them to scan the backlog or attend the spotlight session and highlight what stands out to them.
This helps surface non-obvious gems.
Use Expanded Criteria
Backlogs need grooming — and not just for feasibility and ROI. Define what makes a gem in your context. Look for:
Customer Delight — Will it surprise or deeply satisfy your customers?
New Leverage — Does it unlock new capabilities, efficiencies, or partnerships?
Low Effort, High Impact — Is it a quick win with meaningful results?
Narrative Power — Can it tell a compelling story about your direction, values, or innovation?
Momentum Builder - Will it create energy, engagement, or confidence across the team or stakeholders? Some ideas unlock more than just outcomes — they unlock belief.
Learning Opportunity - Does it help you test an assumption, explore a new market, or build internal capability?
Differentiation Potential - Could it set you apart in your market or create a signature experience?
Cultural Fit - Does it reinforce or evolve the culture you want to build? Sometimes initiatives have big symbolic power.
Time Sensitivity - Is there a window of opportunity that makes this idea more valuable now than later?
Cross-functional Leverage - Does it benefit multiple teams or functions? Ideas that create shared value often have hidden impact.
Use these criteria to guide backlog grooming and prioritisation. They help surface the ideas that move you forward — not just the ones that are easiest to deliver.
Keep a “Curiosity Shelf”
Some ideas aren’t ready yet but have a spark. Create a space for:
“Ideas we’re curious about”
“Ideas that need incubation”
“Ideas that might connect with future trends”
This keeps the backlog alive and future-facing.