A. Projects
B. Epics
C. Strategic Themes
D. Capabilities
The correct answer is
B. Epics
Explanation
In the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), the Portfolio Backlog primarily consists of:
- Epics
Epics are large bodies of work that can be broken down into smaller parts (such as capabilities and features) that are managed by the Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and solution trains. These epics capture the most significant initiatives that the organization undertakes to implement its strategy and achieve its business objectives. They usually encompass work that spans multiple Agile teams and require several iterations or even program increments to complete.
To give a brief overview of the other terms to SAFe:
- Projects: In traditional project management, work is often organized into projects. However, in the context of SAFe and other Agile methodologies, the focus shifts from projects to continuous value delivery through products and solutions, organized around epics, capabilities, and features rather than discrete projects.
- Strategic Themes: These are different from what goes into the portfolio backlog. Strategic themes are high-level focus areas that guide the organization’s strategy and investment decisions. They influence the selection and prioritization of epics in the portfolio backlog but are not themselves backlog items.
- Capabilities: Capabilities are high-level solutions or services that an Agile Release Train (ART) delivers to realize an epic. While capabilities are outcomes of the work derived from epics, they are typically managed at the program level and decomposed into features for implementation by Agile teams. Capabilities themselves, as distinct entities, are planned and tracked within the context of epics in the portfolio backlog but are more directly managed in the Program Backlog.
In summary, the Portfolio Backlog in SAFe is made up of epics, which are large work items that align with the organization’s strategic objectives and require significant effort and collaboration across various teams to complete.
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