An Epic is a large, related body of work that serves to hierarchically organize a set of requirements and deliver specific business outcomes. Epics help structure work at a higher level than user stories, ensuring that large initiatives are managed and broken down effectively.
Key Aspects of an Epic
- High-Level Work Item – Represents a major feature, initiative, or business goal.
- Breaks Down into User Stories – Decomposed into smaller, actionable tasks.
- Used in Agile Frameworks – Common in Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe® for backlog organization.
- Tied to Business Outcomes – Ensures alignment with strategic objectives.
Epic vs. User Story vs. Theme
| Work Item | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | A broad business objective or strategic goal. | ”Enhance Customer Experience” |
| Epic | A major initiative contributing to the theme. | ”Implement a New Customer Support System” |
| User Story | A specific, actionable requirement. | ”As a user, I want to chat with support in real-time.” |
Example Scenarios
Software Development
A tech company launches an epic for AI-powered search enhancements, which includes stories for improving autocomplete, voice search, and filtering options.
Marketing Strategy
A marketing team creates an epic for a product launch campaign, with stories covering social media ads, email promotions, and video production.
Manufacturing Process Improvement
A factory implements an epic for automation, with tasks focusing on robotic assembly, process optimization, and predictive maintenance.
Why Epics Matter
- Improve Work Breakdown Structure – Organizes work into manageable segments.
- Enhance Backlog Management – Helps prioritize and refine large initiatives.
- Ensure Business Alignment – Connects work to strategic goals.
- Support Agile Execution – Facilitates incremental delivery of complex features.
See also: User Story, Product Backlog, Sprint Planning, Agile Roadmap.