Answering: “Which is NOT a valid consideration when ordering a Product Backlog?”

Tools and techniques are not a valid consideration when ordering the Product Backlog. Strategy, risk, customer importance and dependencies all affect value and sequence, while tools only affect how the work gets done.

Exam Question

Which is NOT a valid consideration when ordering a Product Backlog?
(choose the best answer)

• A. Alignment with business strategy and goals.
• B. Risk.
• C. Importance to customers.
• D. Tools and techniques.
• E. Dependencies on other Product Backlog items.

Correct Answer

D. Tools and techniques.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Product Owner orders the Product Backlog to maximize the value of the product. Anything that changes value or the best sequence of work is fair to consider. Alignment with business strategy and importance to customers shape value. Risk can push an item earlier so the team learns sooner. Dependencies can force some items to come before others. Tools and techniques, on the other hand, are about how the Developers build things. That is part of their self-managed work, not a reason to put one item ahead of another.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Alignment with business strategy and goals. This is valid. Items that move the organization toward its goals and the Product Goal usually carry more value.

B. Risk. This is valid. Addressing high-risk items early reduces uncertainty and protects value.

C. Importance to customers. This is valid. Customer importance is a direct signal of value.

E. Dependencies on other Product Backlog items. This is valid. Some items cannot be built until others are done, which affects the order.

Exam Tip

In “which is NOT” questions, look for the option that describes how work is done rather than what is worth doing. That one is usually the odd one out.

Key Takeaways

• Ordering is about value, risk, customer need and sequence.
• Tools and techniques belong to the Developers’ choice of how to work.
• Dependencies can override pure value order.