Raw

Subject: Let's use next sprint to cut the defect backlog

Hi Alex,

We've been shipping new features every sprint while the defect backlog quietly grows — and it's now big enough to cost us customers and deals. I recommend we dedicate the next sprint to paying it down.

Here's why:

1. **It's on track to get much worse.** We're closing defects slower than they come in, and at the current rate the backlog roughly doubles over the next year.
2. **It's already driving customers away.** CX and Research both tie defects to churn — the data shows churn rising with defect volume, and one customer interview walks through exactly that path.
3. **It's starting to hurt our reputation and our pipeline.** Users are posting about it publicly, a major account has complained directly, and Sales says it's now a real reason deals fall through.

Let me know if you're good with reprioritizing the sprint — happy to walk through the charts if useful.