Epic

An epic is a large body of work that encompasses multiple user stories and requires significant effort to complete. It is a high-level item in the product backlog that represents a major feature or functionality of the product.

Epics are used to capture big-picture ideas and goals that are too complex to be broken down into smaller, more manageable user stories. They provide a way to organize and prioritize work at a strategic level and help ensure that the product team is aligned with the overall vision and objectives of the product.

Epics are typically broken down into smaller, more manageable user stories that can be completed within a single sprint or iteration. This process is known as decomposition, and it helps ensure that the product team is focused on delivering value to customers in a timely and efficient manner.

Epics are often used in agile development methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban, where they serve as a key input into the sprint planning process. During sprint planning, the product team will review the epics and decompose them into smaller user stories that can be completed during the upcoming sprint.

It's important to note that epics are not set in stone and may evolve over time as the product team gains a better understanding of customer needs and market trends. As such, it's important for product managers to regularly review and update the epics to ensure that they remain aligned with the product vision and business objectives.

In summary, epics are a critical tool for product managers to organize and prioritize work at a strategic level. By breaking down complex ideas into smaller user stories, product teams can deliver value to customers in a timely and efficient manner while remaining aligned with the overall vision and objectives of the product.