Which statement about the Program Backlog is true?

• A. It is owned by the System Team
• B. It is owned, defined, and prioritized by Product Management
• C. It contains only technical debt items
• D. It has no relation to user needs

Answer: (B)

In SAFe, the Program Backlog is the prioritized list of upcoming work for an Agile Release Train, consisting of Features and Enablers that the train will implement in the next Program Increment to deliver customer value. It is owned, defined, and prioritized by Product Management, who ensure the items align with the program vision, roadmap, and stakeholder needs. Product Management coordinates with System Architects/Engineering to define enablers and ensure architectural feasibility, and with Product Owners to refine items so teams can deliver them effectively. This backlog is not just about technical debt; it includes new features and the necessary enablers to realize them. It also has a clear connection to user needs, since items are driven by delivering value back to customers and users, prioritized by business value, risk, and dependencies.