Those of you familiar with SAFe® have probably heard the term “Epic.” A Portfolio Epic describes a significant development initiative that usually spans multiple value streams and Program Increments (PIs). Because of their large scope, Portfolio Epics require the definition of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and approval by the Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) before implementation.
Key Responsibilities of the Epic Owner
The Epic Owner is the lead advocate for the Epic. The Epic Owner works with others to define the Epic and its Minimum Viable Product (MVP), write the Lean Business Case, and also assists in implementing the Epic in the Enterprise.
Tracking Epics
In SAFe, Portfolio Epics can be tracked in a Portfolio Kanban. The Epic Owner would shepherd the Portfolio Epic through the Portfolio Kanban.
Collaborating with Subject Matter Experts
As the Epic Owner is conceptualizing the Epic, the Epic Owner would need to work with other subject matter experts to better understand how to facilitate implementation of the Epic. The Epic Owner would work with Lean Portfolio Management, Product/Solution Management, Release Train Engineers, Architects, and Agile Teams. These subject matter experts would provide the Epic Owner valuable information as the Epic Owner writes the Lean Business Case.
Developing the Lean Business Case
The Lean Business Case provides a detailed summary of the Epic and the Epic Owner would present the Lean Business Case to the Lean Portfolio Management team for approval. Once the Epic has been deemed sufficient priority, and funding has been allotted for the Epic, the Epic would then be implemented. The Epic Owner would work with Agile Teams as the Epic is implemented in the Enterprise until no further portfolio governance is needed.
Selecting the Epic Owner
The Epic Owner is a very important role as an Enterprise conceptualizes Lean Portfolio Management. As Lean Portfolio Management is being considered by an organization, the organization needs to consider the people who would make-up and define the role of Epic Owner. Typically people deemed good candidates for the Epic Owner role are Business Owners/Stakeholders, Scope Leaders, and/or Architects.
Lean Portfolio Management has the ability to truly revolutionize how an organization functions; by doing so, due diligence should be taken and considered as we conceptualize who makes up the role of the Epic Owner at the Portfolio level.
