What is an Epic in the context of user stories?

In the context of user stories, an Epic is defined as a large user story that encompasses a significant amount of work, often spanning multiple iterations or sprints. This categorization helps teams manage and organize substantial features or requirements that cannot be completed within a single iteration due to their complexity or size. By breaking down an Epic into smaller user stories, teams can more easily plan and implement the work incrementally, allowing for iterative feedback and adjustment along the way. This approach aligns well with Agile principles, fostering adaptability and continuous improvement as the team progresses toward delivering value.

While the other options mention various aspects of user stories or analysis, they do not encapsulate the essence of an Epic. For instance, referring to a collection of smaller user stories or a method to visually analyze high-level requirements describes related concepts but does not specifically define what an Epic is. The correct definition emphasizes the scope and effort associated with an Epic, making it clear how it fits into the larger framework of Agile project management.