Backlogs grow because it is easy to add items and hard to remove them. Over time, old requests create guilt and confusion. Teams lose focus because stale work still looks active.
Set an expiration rule for inactive tickets. A simple default is six months. When a ticket expires, close it with a note.
If the work still matters, someone can reopen it with fresh context. That small step filters noise and proves real demand.
Expiration is not about deleting ideas. It is about keeping the active system honest so current priorities stay clear.