SAFe EPIC and JIRA EPIC

[Phx AZ]

Does an EPIC in JIRA map to a EPIC in SAFe Methodology?

Atlassian says: EPIC ( High Level, mapping to multiple User Stores) -> User Stories

SAFe says: EPIC ( Business Need)  -> Capability -> Features -> User Stories

[Mikael Sandberg · Accepted solution]

I would say no (but my experience with SAFe is limited), SAFe Epics are on a higher level similar to initiatives and themes, if you are using Jira Portfolio. I would suggest to take a look at Scaled agile with Atlassian and SAFe®, the white paper that you can download describes how you can use Jira with SAFe. Also check out Agile at scale

[Rick Michaels]

SAFe has four models: Essential, Large Solution, Portfolio, and Full. Each uses a fit for purpose hierarchy of items. So...

SAFe portfolio has a four tiered system: value stream -> portfolio (epics) -> program (features) -> team (user stories and tasks for scrum practice, items for kanban practice). Jira out of the box has a two tiered system epic and user story. I have seen articles and third party solutions for creating the SAFe tiers in the portfolio model.

You need to decide on your SAFe model then find a way to implement that model in Jira.

By the way, SAFe epics can be business objectives or architectural enablers. Maybe a Jira issue attribute could be used for this distinction.