A backlog is a collection of not yet estimated features and tasks that await planning and implementation. In other words, it is a list of work your development team should address during the project release cycle.
In terms of YouTrack, a backlog is a saved search.
When you create a board, you can either select an existing saved search as the default backlog for the board, or create a new one. If you choose to create a new saved search, then it is created with the name that you enter and the following default search query:
If you need to modify the saved search that you use as the backlog, you can do it either in the standard way from the issues list, or you can adjust the backlog search query right on the board. We would recommend to use the latter as in YouTrack 7.0 you can make it quickly and easily.
To modify the backlog search query on the board:
Open a board. Click the button to open its backlog.
Click the Edit link next to the name of the backlog saved search. The link is only available if you have permissions to edit selected saved search.
The Edit saved search dialog is displayed.
Configure any parameter that you require.
Setting
Description
Name
The name of the saved search.
Query
The saved search query.
Can View and Use Saved Search
All the members of the selected group can view the saved search results.
Can Edit Saved Search
All members of the selected group are allowed to edit the setting of the saved search.
Send Notifications
Options to enable notifications about the issues that match the saved search. Please note that these settings are applied only to the current user who edit the saved search.
Click the Apply changes button to save the updated backlog.
The backlog search is updated and the list of cards displayed in the backlog sidebar is refreshed immediately. As the backlog in YouTrack 7.0 supports live update, then all users who currently view the backlog will see the changes immediately as well.
Choose Another Saved Search As the Backlog
You can use any saved search that is available for you as a backlog for your board.
To select another saved search as the backlog:
Click the button to open the backlog.
Click the name of the backlog and select any available saved search as the backlog from the displayed drop-down list.
Prioritize the Backlog
In YouTrack 7.0, the backlog became a full-functioning hierarchical issue list with a tree.You can reorder your backlog right from the board.
To prioritize the backlog on the board:
To open and view the backlog, click the button.
Grab a card in the backlog by the three-dots icon the top-left corner of the card, and drag it to the place that you need. You not only can reorder issues in the backlog vertically, but also drag them horizontally placing them as subtasks of another card in the backlog.
Repeat for each card in the backlog that you need to re-order. That's it!
You can also prioritize the backlog saved search as an issue list.
To prioritize the backlog as an issue list
Open the board's backlog in YouTrack as a list of issues:
On the board, open the backlog in the sidebar (click the button) and click the Show on issue list link.
Click the Issues link in the main menu to open the Issues list. Then, click the name of the backlog in the Search Context drop-down next to the search box.
Please note that the backlog's saved search is available in the Search Context drop-down list only if it is a pinned saved search. For more details, please refer to the Search Context page.
Manually sort the list of issues in the backlog by dragging them around in the list and placing them in the order you need.
When done, backlog items appear in the Backlog side bar in order that you have specified.
button to open its backlog.
