Best Practices for Managing the Flow of Portfolio Epics

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 143 views

Introduction

In the world of software development and project management, portfolio epics play a crucial role in defining and delivering strategic business objectives. A portfolio epic is a high-level concept that represents a significant business outcome or a set of related outcomes. Managing the flow of portfolio epics is essential to ensure that the right work is being done at the right time, and that the organization is making progress towards its strategic goals. In this article, we will explore how the flow of portfolio epics is managed in different contexts, including the Art Kanban, Portfolio Kanban, Portfolio Backlog, and Art Backlog.

In the Art Kanban

In the Art Kanban, the flow of portfolio epics is managed through a visual board that represents the workflow of the team. The board is divided into columns that represent different stages of the workflow, such as "To-Do," "In Progress," and "Done." Portfolio epics are represented as cards on the board, and each card has a unique identifier, description, and set of attributes that define its characteristics.

The Art Kanban team uses a pull-based approach to manage the flow of portfolio epics. When a team member is ready to start working on a new epic, they pull the card from the "To-Do" column and move it to the "In Progress" column. As the team member makes progress on the epic, they update the card with the latest information and move it to the "Done" column.

The Art Kanban team also uses a set of rules and guidelines to manage the flow of portfolio epics. For example, they may have a rule that states that only a certain number of epics can be in progress at any given time, or that a team member can only work on one epic at a time. These rules help to ensure that the team is working efficiently and effectively, and that the flow of portfolio epics is managed in a way that aligns with the organization's strategic goals.

In the Portfolio Kanban

In the Portfolio Kanban, the flow of portfolio epics is managed through a separate board that represents the workflow of the portfolio team. The board is divided into columns that represent different stages of the workflow, such as "To-Do," "In Progress," and "Done." Portfolio epics are represented as cards on the board, and each card has a unique identifier, description, and set of attributes that define its characteristics.

The Portfolio Kanban team uses a push-based approach to manage the flow of portfolio epics. When a team member is ready to start working on a new epic, they push the card from the "To-Do" column to the "In Progress" column. As the team member makes progress on the epic, they update the card with the latest information and move it to the "Done" column.

The Portfolio Kanban team also uses a set of rules and guidelines to manage the flow of portfolio epics. For example, they may have a rule that states that only a certain number of epics can be in progress at any given time, or that a team member can only work on one epic at a time. These rules help to ensure that the team is working efficiently and effectively, and that the flow of portfolio epics is managed in a way that aligns with the organization's strategic goals.

In the Portfolio Backlog

In the Portfolio Backlog, the flow of portfolio epics is managed through a prioritized list of epics that are to be worked on in the future. The list is typically maintained by the portfolio team, and it is used to guide the work of the teams that are responsible for delivering the epics.

The Portfolio Backlog team uses a prioritization framework to manage the flow of portfolio epics. The framework takes into account factors such as business value, risk, and feasibility, and it is used to rank the epics in order of priority. The team also uses a set of rules and guidelines to manage the flow of portfolio epics, such as the rule that states that only the top-ranked epics can be worked on at any given time.

In the Art Backlog

In the Art Backlog, the flow of portfolio epics is managed through a prioritized list of epics that are to be worked on in the future. The list is typically maintained by the art team, and it is used to guide the work of the teams that are responsible for delivering the epics.

The Art Backlog team uses a prioritization framework to manage the flow of portfolio epics. The framework takes into account factors such as business value, risk, and feasibility, and it is used to rank the epics in order of priority. The team also uses a set of rules and guidelines to manage the flow of portfolio epics, such as the rule that states that only the top-ranked epics can be worked on at any given time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the flow of portfolio epics is managed in different ways in different contexts, including the Art Kanban, Portfolio Kanban, Portfolio Backlog, and Art Backlog. Each context has its own set of rules and guidelines that are used to manage the flow of portfolio epics, and each context has its own strengths and weaknesses.

The Art Kanban team uses a pull-based approach to manage the flow of portfolio epics, while the Portfolio Kanban team uses a push-based approach. The Portfolio Backlog team uses a prioritization framework to manage the flow of portfolio epics, while the Art Backlog team uses a similar framework.

Regardless of the context, the key to managing the flow of portfolio epics is to ensure that the right work is being done at the right time, and that the organization is making progress towards its strategic goals. By using a combination of visual boards, prioritization frameworks, and rules and guidelines, teams can manage the flow of portfolio epics in a way that aligns with the organization's strategic goals and objectives.

Best Practices for Managing the Flow of Portfolio Epics

Use a visual board: A visual board is a powerful tool for managing the flow of portfolio epics. It provides a clear and concise representation of the workflow, and it helps to ensure that the team is working efficiently and effectively.
Prioritize epics: Prioritizing epics is essential for managing the flow of portfolio epics. It helps to ensure that the right work is being done at the right time, and that the organization is making progress towards its strategic goals.
Use a prioritization framework: A prioritization framework is a set of rules and guidelines that are used to rank epics in order of priority. It helps to ensure that the team is working on the most important epics first.
Establish rules and guidelines: Establishing rules and guidelines is essential for managing the flow of portfolio epics. It helps to ensure that the team is working efficiently and effectively, and that the organization is making progress towards its strategic goals.
Monitor and adjust: Monitoring and adjusting the flow of portfolio epics is essential for ensuring that the team is working efficiently and effectively. It helps to identify areas for improvement, and to make adjustments as needed.

Introduction

Managing the flow of portfolio epics is a critical aspect of project management and strategic planning. In our previous article, we explored the different ways that portfolio epics are managed in various contexts, including the Art Kanban, Portfolio Kanban, Portfolio Backlog, and Art Backlog. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about managing the flow of portfolio epics.

Q: What is the difference between a portfolio epic and a project?

A: A portfolio epic is a high-level concept that represents a significant business outcome or a set of related outcomes. A project, on the other hand, is a specific initiative that is designed to deliver a specific outcome or set of outcomes. While a project is a tangible entity with a clear start and end date, a portfolio epic is a more abstract concept that represents a broader strategic goal.

Q: How do I prioritize portfolio epics?

A: Prioritizing portfolio epics involves evaluating each epic based on its business value, risk, and feasibility. You can use a prioritization framework such as the MoSCoW method, which categorizes epics into must-haves, should-haves, could-haves, and won't-haves. You can also use a scoring system to evaluate each epic based on its business value, risk, and feasibility.

Q: What is the role of the portfolio manager in managing the flow of portfolio epics?

A: The portfolio manager plays a critical role in managing the flow of portfolio epics. They are responsible for defining the portfolio strategy, prioritizing epics, and allocating resources to support the delivery of epics. They also work closely with the teams responsible for delivering the epics to ensure that they are working efficiently and effectively.

Q: How do I ensure that the flow of portfolio epics is aligned with the organization's strategic goals?

A: To ensure that the flow of portfolio epics is aligned with the organization's strategic goals, you need to establish clear goals and objectives for each epic. You also need to ensure that the epics are prioritized based on their business value, risk, and feasibility. Additionally, you need to monitor and adjust the flow of epics regularly to ensure that they are aligned with the organization's strategic goals.

Q: What are some common challenges in managing the flow of portfolio epics?

A: Some common challenges in managing the flow of portfolio epics include:

Difficulty in prioritizing epics
Insufficient resources to support the delivery of epics
Lack of clear goals and objectives for each epic
Difficulty in monitoring and adjusting the flow of epics
Resistance to change from stakeholders

Q: How do I overcome these challenges?

A: To overcome these challenges, you need to establish clear goals and objectives for each epic, prioritize epics based on their business value, risk, and feasibility, and allocate sufficient resources to support the delivery of epics. You also need to monitor and adjust the flow of epics regularly to ensure that they are aligned with the organization's strategic goals. Additionally, you need to communicate effectively with stakeholders and involve them in the decision-making process.

Q: What are some best practices for managing the flow of portfolio epics?

A: Some best practices for managing the flow of portfolio epics include:

Establishing clear goals and objectives for each epic
Prioritizing epics based on their business value, risk, and feasibility
Allocating sufficient resources to support the delivery of epics
Monitoring and adjusting the flow of epics regularly
Communicating effectively with stakeholders and involving them in the decision-making process

Conclusion

Managing the flow of portfolio epics is a critical aspect of project management and strategic planning. By understanding the different ways that portfolio epics are managed in various contexts, and by following best practices and overcoming common challenges, you can ensure that the flow of portfolio epics is aligned with the organization's strategic goals.