Which practice helps the product owner prioritize the backlog effectively?

The choice of stakeholder feedback as the practice that helps the product owner prioritize the backlog effectively is rooted in the very nature of agile methodologies. Stakeholder feedback provides valuable insights into customer needs, preferences, and pain points, allowing the product owner to align the backlog items with the most pressing demands of end users or stakeholders.

This feedback loop enables the product owner to gather direct input regarding what features or improvements will deliver the most value. Understanding stakeholder perspectives helps in making informed decisions about which items to prioritize based on their potential impact on user satisfaction and business goals. Consequently, incorporating stakeholder feedback into the prioritization process leads to a more relevant and effective product backlog.

In contrast, while agile retrospectives, team performance evaluations, and two-week sprints contribute to overall team dynamics and project flow, they do not directly provide the specific insights needed for prioritizing the backlog centered around stakeholder interests and needs. These practices have their own vital roles but are not as directly tied to the prioritization of backlog items as stakeholder feedback is.