An epic is a large, high-level backlog item that represents a significant business or user need.
It usually contains several related features or user stories. For example, Account Management may include viewing balances, opening accounts, and closing accounts.
An epic is too large for one iteration. Therefore, teams divide it into smaller backlog items. These items should provide clear value and fit within a sprint.
Teams store epics in the product backlog. Moreover, they use them for release planning, prioritization, and dependency management. Value, cost, risk, and urgency can influence their order.
The description should explain the intended outcome and the expected benefit. However, detailed acceptance criteria usually emerge during refinement.
Epics help teams organize complex work while maintaining a clear connection to business goals and stakeholder value.
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