# Skill Product Backlog Prioritization

> Guidelines for managing and prioritizing the Product Backlog using WSJF. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/skill-product-backlog-prioritization` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/skill-product-backlog-prioritization`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/skill-product-backlog-prioritization/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/skill-product-backlog-prioritization

---


# Backlog Prioritization (WSJF)

## 1. Objective
To prioritize features scientifically using **Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)**.

## 2. Logic Locker (CRITICAL)
> [!IMPORTANT]
> **FORBIDDEN ACTION:** You are **strictly forbidden** from calculating WSJF scores manually or mentally.
> Humans and LLMs are bad at floating point arithmetic. Use the script.

## 3. Core Tooling
You MUST use the provided Python script to calculate scores and sort the backlog.

### How to Prioritize
Run the following command:
```bash
python3 [skill_path]/scripts/calculate_wsjf.py --file docs/PRODUCT_BACKLOG.md
```
> **Note:** `[skill_path]` is the path to this skill (e.g. `.agent/skills/skill-product-backlog-prioritization`).

## 4. Scoring Components
When adding a new item to the Backlog, you must estimate:
1.  **User Value (UV):** Relative value to the customer (1-10).
2.  **Time Criticality (TC):** Is there a deadline? (1-10).
3.  **Risk Reduction (RR):** Does this open new options or fix security? (1-10).
4.  **Job Size (JS):** Estimate of effort. Support "T-Shirt Sizes" (XS, S, M, L, XL) or relative fibonacci (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20).
    - XS / ~1d -> 1
    - S / ~2-3d -> 2
    - M / ~1w -> 5
    - L / ~1m -> 13
    - XL / ~2m+ -> 20

**Formula (Handled by Script):** `WSJF = (UV + TC + RR) / Job Size`

## 5. Artifact Standards
See `examples/backlog_table_example.md` for the correct table format.
The table MUST include all 4 input columns and the `WSJF` output column.

---
> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/matrixfounder) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->