---
title: What is Product Backlog refinement?
description: "[Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) [Refinement](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/refinement/) is the process of breaking down and further defining [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) items into smaller, more precise items. This activity involves adding details such as a description, order, and size to the items. The attributes added often vary…"
url: "https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/docs/what-is-product-backlog-refinement/"
updated: "2024-12-19"
category: Additional Rules / Refinement
---

# What is Product Backlog refinement?

[Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) [Refinement](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/refinement/) is the process of breaking down and further defining [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) items into smaller, more precise items. This activity involves adding details such as a description, order, and size to the items. The attributes added often vary depending on the domain of work.

This process is ongoing and collaborative, involving the entire [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/). The [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/) is responsible for effective [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) management, making [Refinement](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/refinement/) a critical activity. The [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) collectively decides how and when [Refinement](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/refinement/) should be carried out, typically dedicating some time to it in every Sprint.