write-epic

name	write-epic
description	Produces a complete epic definition following Atlassian agile guidance. An epic captures a large initiative that is too big for a single sprint and must be decomposed into user stories.
version	1.0.0
tags	["agile","epic","requirements","backlog","roadmap"]
metadata	{"skill-author":"Marie-Lynne Block"}

What this skill does

Produces a complete epic definition following Atlassian agile guidance. An epic captures a large initiative that is too big for a single sprint and must be decomposed into user stories. This skill writes the epic statement, defines in-scope and out-of-scope boundaries, identifies success metrics, and drafts an initial story map to guide decomposition.

Reference: Atlassian — User stories with examples and a template

When to use it

• User asks to "write an epic" or "define an initiative" for a feature area or product goal.
• User has a large, multi-sprint requirement and needs to frame it before decomposing it into stories.
• User wants to communicate a roadmap item to stakeholders before stories are written.
• User is decomposing an epic and needs the parent definition to stay aligned.

Key concepts

Epic vs. user story

	Epic	User Story
Size	Multiple sprints	Fits in one sprint
Granularity	Strategic intent	Specific capability
Audience	Stakeholders + team	Team
Detail	Goal + boundaries + metrics	Action + benefit + acceptance criteria
Completeness	Done when all child stories are done	Done when acceptance criteria pass

Epic goal statement

An epic does not use the Connextra ("As a … I want … so that …") template directly — it uses a goal statement that captures the initiative and its business value:

[Initiative name]: [what we are building or enabling] so that [business/user outcome].

Or, for epics that span multiple personas, use a plain statement:

Enable [capability] for [scope] to achieve [measurable outcome].

Story map

An epic's initial story map is a flat list of the user stories (or story themes) that will together deliver the epic. It does not need to be exhaustive at the time of writing — it should cover the known scope and flag known unknowns.

Instructions

1. Name the epic. A short, active-voice label (e.g., "Guest Checkout", "Multi-currency Support", "Admin Audit Logs").

2. Write the goal statement. State what the epic delivers and why it matters to the business or users. Avoid solution language at this stage.

3. Define scope boundaries.

   • In scope: capabilities or outcomes that will be part of this epic.
   • Out of scope: related things that will NOT be addressed — this prevents scope creep and sets stakeholder expectations.

4. Identify personas. List the user types who benefit from this epic.

5. Define success metrics. What measurable outcomes will confirm the epic delivered value? (Conversion rate, error rate, time-on-task, support tickets, etc.)

6. Draft the story map. List the major user stories or story themes this epic will be broken into. Use the user story format ("As a … I want … so that …") for each, or a theme label if stories are not yet written.

7. Flag dependencies and risks. List other epics, systems, or teams this epic depends on, and any known risks.

8. Produce the output using the format below.

Output format

# Epic: [Name]

**Goal:** [Initiative name]: [what we are building or enabling] so that [business/user outcome].

**Personas:** [Comma-separated list of user roles who benefit]

---

## Scope

### In scope

- [Capability or outcome 1]
- [Capability or outcome 2]

### Out of scope

- [Related thing explicitly excluded]
- [Related thing explicitly excluded]

---

## Success metrics

| Metric | Baseline | Target |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [metric name] | [current value or "unknown"] | [goal value] |

---

## Story map (initial)

> Stories to be written and refined during sprint planning. This is a scope guide, not a commitment.

1. As a [persona], I want to [action] so that [benefit].
2. As a [persona], I want to [action] so that [benefit].
3. [Story theme: more detail TBD]

---

## Dependencies

- [Epic / system / team this depends on]

## Risks

- [Known risk or open question]

## Notes

- [Assumptions, stakeholder constraints, or timeline context]

Examples

Example 1 — Guest checkout

Input: "Write an epic for allowing users to check out without creating an account."

Expected output:

# Epic: Guest Checkout

**Goal:** Enable customers to complete a purchase without registering an account so that conversion rate improves for first-time buyers.

**Personas:** First-time shopper, returning customer who prefers not to log in.

## Scope

### In scope
- Checkout flow without mandatory account creation.
- Order confirmation email to the provided address.
- Option to create an account post-purchase.

### Out of scope
- Saving payment methods for guests.
- Guest order history (requires account).

## Success metrics

| Metric | Baseline | Target |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Checkout conversion rate (unauthenticated) | 18% | 28% |
| Account creation drop-off | 42% | < 20% |

## Story map (initial)

1. As a guest shopper, I want to enter my email and shipping details without registering, so that I can check out quickly.
2. As a guest shopper, I want to receive an order confirmation email, so that I have proof of purchase.
3. As a guest shopper, I want to be offered the option to create an account after purchase, so that I can track future orders if I choose to.

Example 2 — Vague input requiring scoping

Input: "We need an epic for notifications."

Expected output: Skill flags that "notifications" is too broad to define as a single epic. It asks clarifying questions: Which notification channels (email, push, in-app)? Which events trigger notifications? Which personas? The output drafts a scoped epic (e.g., "In-app Notifications for Order Status") with explicit out-of-scope items (email campaigns, push notifications).

Notes

• An epic is not a project plan; it should not prescribe implementation order or sprint assignments.
• The story map is a discovery tool, not a contract. Stories will be added, removed, and split during refinement.
• Success metrics must be measurable. "Improve UX" is not a metric; "reduce time-to-checkout by 30%" is.
• If the user describes something completable in one sprint, suggest writing a user story instead of an epic.
• Avoid nesting epics inside epics — if the scope is that large, consider a programme or initiative layer instead.