What is an epic in agile?

Epic in Agile

In Agile, an epic is essentially a large, complex user story that cannot be completed within a single sprint (a short, time-boxed development cycle). It represents a broad goal or theme, and is broken down into smaller, more manageable tasks called user stories. These user stories are then individually estimated and prioritized for completion within specific sprints.

Here's a breakdown of the key points about epics in Agile:

• Represents a large, complex user story: Epics are too big and intricate to be completed in a single sprint. They encompass a broader vision or objective.
• Broken down into user stories: Epics are further divided into smaller, well-defined user stories that represent specific functionalities or features. These user stories are actionable and can be completed within a single sprint.
• Spans multiple sprints: Due to their complexity, epics typically take multiple sprints to complete, with each sprint focusing on delivering a specific set of user stories that contribute to the overall epic.
• Provides context and direction: Epics offer a high-level overview of the bigger picture, helping teams stay aligned with the overall product vision and goals.

By organizing work into epics and user stories, Agile teams can:

• Improve task management and prioritization: Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable units makes it easier to plan, estimate, and track progress.
• Enhance communication and collaboration: Epics provide a shared understanding of the overall goal, facilitating communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders.
• Adapt to changing requirements: The flexible nature of epics allows for adjustments to be made as needed based on new information or evolving priorities.

Overall, epics play a crucial role in Agile development by helping teams manage complex work, maintain focus, and deliver value incrementally.

Here's an example to illustrate the concept:

• Epic: Implement a new e-commerce platform for the company.
• User stories within the epic:
• Develop a product catalog browsing feature.
• Implement a shopping cart and checkout system.
• Integrate secure payment processing.

By breaking down the epic into smaller, actionable user stories, the team can make better progress, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver value incrementally throughout the development process.

Analogy: Imagine building a house. The epic would be "Build a house." This large goal is then broken down into smaller, more manageable tasks like "Build the foundation," "Frame the walls," "Install the roof," and so on. These smaller tasks are the user stories that can be completed within individual sprints.

Example of epic in agile:

Here's an example of an epic in Agile:

Epic: Implement a new e-commerce platform to improve customer experience and increase sales.

This epic is a large goal that requires significant development effort. It cannot be completed within a single sprint due to its complexity.

Here are some user stories that could be derived from this epic:

• User story 1: As a customer, I want to browse products by category and filter by price and brand so that I can easily find what I'm looking for.
• User story 2: As a customer, I want to view detailed product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, so that I can make informed purchase decisions.
• User story 3: As a customer, I want to add items to my shopping cart, update quantities, and remove items easily so that I can manage my purchase.
• User story 4: As a customer, I want to securely checkout using various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets, so that I can complete my purchase quickly and conveniently.
• User story 5: As a customer, I want to track my order status and receive shipment notifications so that I know when to expect my delivery.

These user stories are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) and can be completed within individual sprints, contributing to the overall epic of implementing the new e-commerce platform.

How to write an epic in agile?

Here are some steps to guide you on writing an effective epic in Agile:

1. Align with goals and objectives:

• Start by connecting the epic to your team's broader goals and objectives. This ensures the epic contributes to the overall product vision and strategy.

2. Focus on a single theme:

• Keep the epic focused on a single, well-defined theme. This helps maintain clarity and avoid the epic becoming too broad and unwieldy.

3. Use clear and concise language:

• Express the epic in simple, easy-to-understand language. Avoid technical jargon and ensure everyone on the team can grasp the main objective.

4. Define the "who" and "what":

• Clearly specify who will benefit from completing the epic (e.g., customers, users) and what the desired outcome will be.

5. Create a high-level estimate:

• While epics are not completed within a single sprint, providing a rough estimate of the overall effort (e.g., number of sprints) helps with planning and transparency.

6. Consider these additional tips:

• Size matters: Aim for epics that can be realistically completed within a few weeks to a few months. This allows for progress updates and adaptation to changing needs.
• Involve the team: Encourage team collaboration in defining the epic to ensure everyone understands and owns the objective.
• Embrace flexibility: Remember, epics can and should be adjusted as new information or priorities emerge.

Here's an example structure you can use to write an epic:

As a [target user], I want to [desired outcome] so that [benefit].

Here are some additional tips for writing epics:

• Focus on user value: Ensure the epic addresses a genuine need or problem faced by the target users.
• Keep it flexible: Be prepared to adapt the epic as new information or requirements emerge.
• Collaborate with stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders like product managers, developers, and users in defining the epic to ensure a shared understanding.
• Use visuals: Consider using visual tools like user story maps to depict the epic and its related user stories.

By following these steps and best practices, you can write clear, concise, and actionable epics that effectively guide your Agile development process, and contribute to your team's overall success.