Understanding Epics in Project Management
Ever heard the word “Epic” thrown around in a meeting and wondered if they’re talking about a fantasy novel or a project task? 😄 In project management (and software development), an Epic is not a story with dragons but rather a large work item broken into smaller chunks called User Stories.
What’s the Deal with an Epic?
An Epic is like a big box 📦 that holds smaller, more manageable tasks—each representing a piece of the puzzle. For example, if you’re building a new website, an Epic might be something like:
• “Develop a Login Page”
• “Create a Payment System”
Each of these is a mini-project within itself, split into User Stories like:
• Design the login page UI
• Implement backend authentication
• Set up database for user info
Why Do We Use Epics?
• Clarity & Focus: Breaking down large projects into epics and stories helps teams focus on smaller tasks.
• Tracking Progress: It’s easier to see what’s been completed and what’s still pending.
• Better Planning: Teams can prioritize and work on stories as needed.
In a Nutshell 🥜
• Epic: Big task (e.g., Develop a Login Page)
• User Stories: Smaller tasks that contribute to the completion of the Epic (e.g., Design UI, Implement backend).