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Mastering Portfolio Epics: How to Drive Business Success with SAFe

Writer's picture: Kristina SuchanKristina Suchan

In the world of software development, managing projects can be an intimidating task. From complex technical requirements to ever-changing stakeholder needs, there are countless factors to consider when developing and delivering software products. That's where the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) comes in. SAFe provides a structured, scalable approach to software development that helps teams manage projects effectively and efficiently.


One of the key components of SAFe is the Portfolio Epic. A Portfolio Epic is a large-scale initiative that requires significant resources and involves multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs). Portfolio Epics are used to describe the overall objective, business value, and benefits of an initiative, and they provide a high-level view of the work that needs to be done.


The Portfolio Epic Statement is a concise summary of the Portfolio Epic that includes the overall objective, business value, and benefits. It should also identify the stakeholders who will benefit from the initiative. The Portfolio Epic Statement should be aligned with the organization's overall strategy and vision and should provide a clear direction for the work that needs to be done. By providing a high-level view of the initiative, the Portfolio Epic Statement helps teams stay aligned and focused on the overall goals, while also allowing them to break down the work into smaller, more manageable chunks.


To effectively manage Portfolio Epics, SAFe provides a number of practices and tools, including the Portfolio Kanban system and the Portfolio Backlog. The Portfolio Kanban system helps teams visualize and manage the flow of work across multiple ARTs, while the Portfolio Backlog allows teams to prioritize and manage the work that needs to be done. By using these tools and practices, teams can effectively manage large-scale initiatives and achieve their goals in a timely and efficient manner.


One of the key benefits of using Portfolio Epics in SAFe is improved alignment and collaboration across teams. By breaking down large-scale initiatives into smaller, more manageable chunks, teams can focus on the work that matters most and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. This helps to improve communication and collaboration across teams, and it allows teams to identify and resolve issues more quickly.


The Portfolio Epic statement is a concise summary of the Portfolio Epic that provides a clear understanding of the initiative's overall objective, business value, and benefits. It should be aligned with the organization's overall strategy and vision and should identify the stakeholders who will benefit from the initiative. The Portfolio Epic statement should also include key success factors, such as measurable goals, key performance indicators, and milestones. It is important to note that the Portfolio Epic statement is not a detailed plan, but rather a high-level view of the initiative that helps teams stay aligned and focused on the overall goals. By providing a clear direction for the work that needs to be done, the Portfolio Epic statement helps teams break down the work into smaller, more manageable chunks and ensures that everyone is working towards the same goals.



Portfolio Epic Example


Objective: Develop a new e-commerce platform to improve customer experience and increase sales.

Business Value: The new e-commerce platform will allow customers to easily search for and purchase products, resulting in increased sales and revenue. It will also improve customer satisfaction by providing a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.

Benefits: The new platform will enable the company to compete more effectively in the e-commerce space and increase its market share. It will also allow the company to collect more data on customer behavior, which can be used to further improve the platform and increase sales.

Stakeholders: Customers, Marketing team, Sales team, IT team

Key Success Factors:

  • Develop a user-friendly and intuitive platform

  • Implement an efficient search and recommendation system

  • Achieve a 20% increase in sales within the first year

  • Ensure the platform can handle a high volume of traffic and transactions

By completing this Portfolio Epic, the company will have a modern, streamlined e-commerce platform that will improve the customer experience and increase sales. The success of this initiative will be measured by the achievement of key performance indicators, such as increased sales and customer satisfaction. The IT team will work closely with the Marketing and Sales teams to ensure that the platform meets the needs of both the company and its customers.

Discover how Portfolio Epics and SAFe drive business success. Learn key factors for delivering value and achieving your goals. #agile #projectmanagement

In conclusion, Portfolio Epics are an essential component of the Scaled Agile Framework. They provide a high-level view of large-scale initiatives and help teams stay aligned and focused on the overall goals. By using Portfolio Epics and the tools and practices provided by SAFe, teams can effectively manage complex software development projects and achieve their goals in a timely and efficient manner.


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