backlog
Mounting undone tasks
A backlog is an accumulation of unfinished work or unfilled orders: We have a six-month backlog of customer requests.
The word implies tasks waiting in queue, often more than can be handled promptly.
In software development, a backlog is a prioritized list of features or fixes to be addressed.
The original meaning—a large log placed at the back of a fire to burn slowly—is now rare.
Delaying to later
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- holdupTheft by threat
- lagPeriod of falling behind
- slippageGradual loss or decline
overdue · outstanding · pending · stalled · waiting · lingering · unresolved · unaddressed
Accumulated reserve supply
- warehouseBulk goods storage building
- stockGoods kept for sale
- reservesResources held back
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
excess · overflow · accumulation · pile · cache · stored · unsold · unshipped
Documents permitting entry
- prioritizationRanking by importance
- workflowSequential task progression
- processingSystematic operation on data
- throughputProcessing rate over time
FIFO · sprint · kanban · grooming · refinement · triaging · ranked · ordered
Commotion or fuss
- assignmentsAllocated duties or tasks
- workloadAssigned task volume
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
deliverables · commitments · responsibilities · projects · requests · submissions · applications · cases
postponement
Delaying to later
slippage · overdue · outstanding · pending · stalled · waiting · lingering · unresolved · unaddressed · neglected
stockpile
Accumulated reserve supply
surplus · excess · overflow · accumulation · pile · cache · stored · unsold · unshipped · sitting
tickets
Documents permitting entry
- prioritizationRanking by importance
- workflowSequential task progression
- processingSystematic operation on data
throughput · FIFO · sprint · kanban · grooming · refinement · triaging · ranked · ordered · scheduling
to-do
Commotion or fuss
- assignmentsAllocated duties or tasks
- workloadAssigned task volume
- unfinishedNot yet complete
incomplete · deliverables · commitments · responsibilities · projects · requests · submissions · applications · cases · orders
overwhelm
Defeat by excess
weight · overload · mounting · crushing · unmanageable · daunting · accumulating · growing · swamped · behind
- workplace problemspoor communication, miscommunication, missed deadlines, budget overruns, scope creep
- Agilescrum, sprint, kanban, retrospective, standup
- workplacehours, cubicle, desk job, holiday party, desk
- bureaucracybureaucracy, bureaucrat, bureaucrats, red tape, civil service
- productivityproductivity, checking off, prioritization, finishing, output
- accumulationaccumulation, heap, pile, stack, hoard
backlogclean slate
Record wiped clear
inbox zero · completion · blank slate · tabula rasa · fresh start
backlogcaught up
Became current or involved
current · up to date · ahead of schedule · on track · idle
backlogclean slate
Record wiped clear
completion · cleared · current · up to date · finished