Create your backlog
Creating a backlog helps you define the work that needs to be done. Once you have a backlog, you can use it to help manage when that work gets done. You can also track acceptance tests, check-ins, and other work items that each backlog item depends on. You can create a single backlog or a portfolio of backlogs.
If you don't have a team project, create one. If a project exists but you don't have access to it, get added to the team.
Open the backlog.
Create a backlog item. Enter a title and add the item.
Different backlog item types appear with different colors. For example, bugs show as a different color than backlog items.
Highlight an item in the list, and then add another item. It's added where focus is in the backlog list, which is indicated by a line.
You can move the focus in the backlog with the up and down arrows on the keyboard or a pointing tool.
Create a portfolio backlog
Do you like to first think big, defining your large features first, and then break down and define work as you go along? You can work with a hierarchical portfolio of backlog items by creating features and then creating links between those features and the backlog items that support them. You can then view overall progress for features as well as for the backlog items that support them.
Create some features.
Change the view to show features and backlog items.
Create some backlog items that support the feature, and watch them appear in the list.
Now you have created a backlog of the work that needs to be done by your team.
Q&A
Q:Can I change the priority of items in the backlog?
A:Yes. Move items in the list to change their priority.
Now it is reordered.
To move an item in the list using the keyboard, hold the Alt key down and use the up and down arrows.
Q:I already have backlog items. Can I map them to features?
A:Yes. You can add them to features through the mapping pane.
Drop a backlog item onto a feature in the mapping pane in order to add it.
You can use the mapping pane to change which feature the backlog item supports, too.
Q:I want to filter my backlog using categories I define. Is this possible?
A:Yes, you can create tags for your work items...
...and filter your backlog using those tags.
Learn more about tagging here.
Q:Can I create a hierarchy of backlog items in just one backlog?
A:If you want a backlog hierarchy, you should consider creating a portfolio backlog.
Q:Can I delete items from the backlog?
A:No, but you can change its status so that it doesn't appear. You can also change the area path of a backlog item so that it no longer shows up as work for your team.
Q:I want to create and track estimates of the work required for items in my backlog. Can I do this?
A:Yes. Open a backlog item and provide an estimate of the effort required to complete it.
Q:Do work items and backlogs have different names, or work differently than shown here?
A:Yes, depending on the type of project you created (or more specifically, the process template you chose when creating the project). If you use Scrum, you'll create backlog items and features in the backlogs, with estimates in the effort field. If you use MSF for Agile Software Development, you'll create stories and features in the backlogs, and estimate story points. With MSF for CMMI Process Improvement, you'll create requirements and features in the backlogs, and estimate size.