# Refine a backlog item before committing it

Illustrative planning brief; no automatic product import.

Illustrative case: “add search” is high priority, but nobody has specified the searchable records or the expected empty state.

## Decision

Commit to a scoped search behavior only after the record boundary and reviewer are agreed.

## Owned work

- Define the search boundary
  - Owner role: Product owner
  - Acceptance evidence: The item names the record types and excludes archived records unless explicitly required.
- Specify acceptance behavior
  - Owner role: Reviewer
  - Acceptance evidence: A sample query and the no-result state have agreed expected outcomes.
- Check the unresolved dependency
  - Owner role: Engineer
  - Acceptance evidence: The item records whether existing data access supports the boundary or needs investigation.

## Workflow

1. Ask which user decision or action the item should enable.
2. Write one successful case and one important boundary before estimating.
3. Move unanswered implementation risk into a short investigation with its own outcome.

## Judgment

Ready means enough clarity for this team and item, not completion of a universal checklist.


## Filled illustrative decision

The sample search brief narrows coverage to active client reports, names a reviewer and specifies an empty result with a clear-filter action. Searching archived documents remains excluded. The team can now discuss the scoped outcome without treating every searchable record as an implied commitment.


## Workflow questions

### Do small fixes need the same process?

Use a lighter review when the behavior and reviewer are already clear. Avoid adding paperwork that changes no delivery decision.

### What if the request is still ambiguous?

Keep it out of the commitment and assign a bounded clarification task with a decision owner.

## Product connection

Use the readiness questions to refine a TeamBoostAI task brief before it becomes a delivery commitment.

Confirm account availability before adopting this manual outline.