# Backlog Refinement Template

Clarify, split, and estimate upcoming backlog items so they are ready for planning. Ongoing housekeeping that makes planning fast.

- **Duration:** 60 minutes
- **Cadence:** Weekly or once per sprint
- **Participants:** Product Owner, Scrum Master, development team

## Agenda
- [ ] Review priorities (10 min) - confirm the order of upcoming work
- [ ] Clarify items (15 min) - sharpen user stories and acceptance criteria
- [ ] Split large items (15 min) - break oversized stories into smaller slices
- [ ] Estimate effort (15 min) - size refined items as a team
- [ ] Confirm readiness (5 min) - check against the definition of ready

## Facilitator tips
- Refine just one or two sprints ahead, not the whole backlog.
- Keep items small enough to finish in a sprint.
- Estimate as a team for shared understanding.
- Use a definition of ready as the entry bar.

## Notes
- Items clarified:
- Items split:
- Estimates:
- Items still not ready:

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Free template from OrgTP. Adapt or run it live at orgtp.com/templates/backlog-refinement-meeting