AI-Enhanced Agile Epics: The New Frontier for Product Managers

AI-Enhanced Agile Epics: The New Frontier for Product Managers?

Introduction?

In the agile world, epics are high-level work containers that provide a structured approach to organizing tasks. For product managers, the ability to craft coherent and compelling epics is crucial, serving as a roadmap that guides teams toward achieving broad objectives. With generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, the epic creation process can be optimized for efficiency, creativity, and alignment with strategic goals.?

The Value of Generative AI for Product Managers?

Generative AI tools can transform the role of a product manager in several key ways:?

• Efficiency: AI can quickly generate a range of ideas and content, saving product managers time and allowing them to focus on higher-value activities.?
• Consistency: AI maintains a consistent approach to writing epics, ensuring they align with industry best practices.?
• Innovation: AI can suggest novel approaches and insights, leading to more innovative problem-solving.?
• Scalability: With AI, product managers can scale their epic creation process, handling multiple products or features simultaneously without compromising quality.?

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Best Practices for Using ChatGPT for Writing Agile Scrum Epics?

To leverage generative AI effectively, product managers should adhere to the following best practices:?

• Begin with Clear Objectives:?
• Define the outcome you want from the AI. Understanding your end goal will help you craft prompts that yield the most useful results.?

• Provide Context:?
• Generative AI is only as good as the information it's given. Provide detailed context about your product, market, and user needs to ensure that the generated epics are relevant.?
• Use Specific and Structured Prompts:?
• Craft prompts that are clear and direct. The more specific your prompts, the more targeted the AI’s responses will be.?
• Incorporate User-Centric Design:?
• Always align your prompts and epics with user needs and experiences. This ensures that the outcomes remain focused on delivering user value.?
• Ensure Business Goal Alignment:?
• The generated epics should support broader business objectives. Prompts should guide the AI to consider business outcomes alongside user needs.?
• Seek Measurable Outcomes:?
• Frame prompts in a way that focuses on measurable results, ensuring that the AI considers key performance indicators within the epics.?
• Iterate and Refine:?
• Use the AI’s output as a starting point. Iterate on the generated content to refine the details and ensure they meet your project's unique requirements.?
• Facilitate Collaboration:?
• Use AI-generated epics as a collaborative tool. Share them with your team for input and refinement, integrating diverse perspectives.?
• Validate Against Agile Principles:?
• Ensure that the output from AI aligns with agile principles — it should be adaptable, customer-focused, and iterative.?
• Train and Learn:?
• As you use AI, pay attention to its responses and adjust your prompts over time. This ‘training’ can improve the quality of content you get from the AI.?

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Real World Prompt Example?

Product Concept Overview:?

As enterprises increasingly rely on cloud services, the need for a robust AI-powered cloud endpoint monitoring solution becomes imperative. This product concept revolves around an advanced system designed to oversee, analyze, and secure the multitude of endpoints within a cloud environment.?

Leveraging the prowess of AI, this monitoring solution will offer comprehensive surveillance over cloud operations, ensuring each endpoint—be it in data storage, application delivery, or network traffic—is functioning optimally. It promises to enhance incident detection, automate security protocols, and provide predictive insights to prevent downtime and breaches.?

Epic Formulation for this Product Concept via AI Prompt:?

The AI prompt for formulating the epic for this product concept would need to encapsulate the vision, the user-specific advantages, and the technical objectives the product aims to fulfill.

An example prompt could be:?

"Devise an epic that captures the essence of a state-of-the-art AI-powered cloud endpoint monitoring product, focusing on its capabilities to streamline cloud operations, bolster security measures, and offer predictive maintenance for a seamless cloud computing experience."?

Anticipated AI-Generated Epic Output:?

Based on this prompt, the AI would construct an epic that describes an integrated suite of monitoring tools adept at delivering real-time analytics and equipped with self-learning algorithms for continuous improvement in threat detection and system maintenance.?

This epic would chronicle the user's experience from the initial deployment of the monitoring system to the ongoing interaction with its AI-enhanced features, like anomaly detection and automated security updates. The narrative would reflect how the product aligns with strategic IT imperatives, emphasizing its contribution to enhancing operational resilience and business continuity in cloud-based infrastructures.?

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Lets View the Actual Results?

Let us look at the results of using the example prompt to generate ideas for an Agile Epic we can begin to work with??        

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Enter the ChatGPT Prompt?

"Devise an epic that captures the essence of a state-of-the-art AI-powered cloud endpoint monitoring product, focusing on its capabilities to streamline cloud operations, bolster security measures, and offer predictive maintenance for a seamless cloud computing experience."?

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Get This ChatGPT Output?

Epic Title: AI-Enhanced Cloud Horizon - Seamless Cloud Endpoint Monitoring?

Epic Summary:?

In a world where cloud efficiency equates to business agility, AI-Enhanced Cloud Horizon emerges as a revolutionary cloud endpoint monitoring product. This epic details the creation of a solution designed to transform cloud operations with AI-driven intelligence. The product will equip businesses with sophisticated tools to streamline cloud operations, enhance security protocols, and preemptively tackle system maintenance, delivering a seamless cloud computing experience.?

Epic Description:?

Feature: Intelligent Operations Optimization?

• As a cloud operations manager,?
• I want an AI-powered tool that continuously analyzes cloud endpoints,?
• So that I can optimize operational workflows, reduce costs, and improve system efficiency.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story A: Deploy real-time analytics to monitor system performance and resource utilization.?
• Story B: Utilize AI to automate scaling and load-balancing based on predictive usage patterns.?
• Story C: Integrate cost-analysis features to provide recommendations for budget optimization.?

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Feature: Proactive Security Enforcement?

• As a cloud security specialist,?
• I want an endpoint monitoring solution that proactively identifies and mitigates security threats,?
• So that the integrity and confidentiality of cloud-hosted data are uncompromised.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story A: Implement AI-driven threat detection that learns and evolves with new security challenges.?
• Story B: Automate patch management and security updates to ensure endpoints are always protected.?
• Story C: Develop incident response protocols powered by AI to swiftly neutralize active threats.?

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Feature: Predictive Maintenance Intelligence?

• As an IT maintenance lead,?
• I want a system that anticipates maintenance needs and automates routine checks,?
• So that we can prevent downtime and maintain optimal cloud service levels.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story A: Create a predictive model for endpoint health, flagging potential issues before they escalate.?
• Story B: Schedule and execute automated maintenance tasks, informed by AI analysis.?
• Story C: Offer a comprehensive dashboard that presents predictive insights and maintenance schedules.?

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Acceptance Criteria:?

To consider the epic complete:?

• The solution must integrate seamlessly with existing cloud infrastructures.?
• AI-driven analytics should deliver actionable insights with a demonstrable impact on operational efficiency.?
• Security features must result in measurable decreases in incident response times and breach occurrences.?
• Predictive maintenance must correlate with a quantifiable reduction in system downtime.?
• The product must receive positive feedback from beta testers for usability and feature set.?

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By fulfilling this epic, AI-Enhanced Cloud Horizon will not only address the immediate needs of cloud endpoint monitoring but will also set a new benchmark for intelligent cloud management systems.?

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Best Practices for Writing Agile Epics with ChatGPT

Let us review some key details to include in the ChatGPT prompt when generating Agile epics. Building on our example above we can write a prompt that includes more specifics about what we plan to build for our specific customer base, and relies less on ChatGPT to suggest the details?

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Important Inputs Required for Writing this Agile Epic Prompt:?

• [Cloud Computing Environment]: Specify the target cloud computing environment or environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP, or multi-cloud).?
• [Key User Roles]: Identify the key user roles and personas involved in managing cloud endpoints (e.g., Cloud System Administrators, DevOps Engineers, Security Analysts).?
• [AI Technologies]: Describe the specific AI technologies and capabilities to be leveraged (e.g., machine learning, anomaly detection, predictive analytics).?
• [Functionalities]: List the critical functionalities expected from the AI-Enhanced Cloud Endpoint Monitoring and Management system (e.g., monitoring, configuration management, security enforcement, auto-scaling).?
• [Integration Requirements]: Specify the external management platforms and cloud environments that the system should seamlessly integrate with.?
• [Security Considerations]: Outline the security requirements and considerations (e.g., threat detection, compliance enforcement) that AI should address.?
• [User Experience Enhancements]: Describe how AI should enhance the user experience, including real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and performance optimization.?
• [Auto-Scaling Parameters]: Define the parameters and criteria for AI-driven auto-scaling of cloud resources based on workload patterns.?
• [Incident Response Needs]: Specify the incident detection, analysis, and response requirements, highlighting the role of AI in incident management.?

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Our New Example ChatGPT Prompt based on the inputs above:?

“Generate an innovative product concept and accompanying epic for a Cloud Endpoint Monitoring system that harnesses the power of AI technologies to automate monitoring, configuration, and security for cloud computing resources, virtual machines (VMs), and server endpoints. This system should improve operational efficiency, enhance security, and provide a seamless user experience while integrating seamlessly with external management platforms and leading cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).”?

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By providing these inputs, the AI will generate a comprehensive product concept and epic tailored to your specific needs and objectives for an AI-Enhanced Cloud Endpoint Monitoring system.?

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The Results?

Based on this new prompt ChatGPT created the following Epic:?        

?(Generated by ChatGPT)

Product Concept: AI Sentinel - The Autonomous Cloud Guardian?

Concept Overview:?

AI Sentinel is envisioned as an innovative Cloud Endpoint Monitoring system that utilizes advanced AI algorithms to automate the monitoring, configuration, and security of cloud resources. Designed to support virtual machines, server endpoints, and a range of cloud computing resources, AI Sentinel represents the next leap in operational efficiency and cybersecurity.?

By leveraging machine learning, AI Sentinel can predict and adapt to emerging threats and usage patterns, ensuring a robust and proactive defense mechanism. It aims to provide a seamless user experience, complete with intuitive dashboards and notifications, while offering extensive compatibility and integration with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.?

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Accompanying Epic: The AI Sentinel Initiative?

Epic Title: Introducing AI Sentinel - Your Cloud's AI Defense and Efficiency Maestro?

Epic Summary:?

The AI Sentinel Initiative is focused on developing a state-of-the-art monitoring system that elevates cloud operations to new heights of efficiency and security. This epic encompasses the creation of an AI-powered toolset that not only automates the mundane tasks of cloud management but also brings intelligence to security and resource optimization.?

Epic Description:?

Feature: Autonomous Monitoring and Configuration?

• As a Cloud Operations Manager,?
• I want an AI-driven system that autonomously monitors and configures cloud resources,?
• So that operational efficiency is maximized with minimal human intervention.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story A: Design an AI model to analyze and optimize cloud resource allocation.?

• Story B: Automate VM and server configuration tasks based on real-time demands.?
• Story C: Integrate a self-updating mechanism for maintaining the latest monitoring protocols.?

Feature: Advanced Security Through AI?

• As a Cloud Security Analyst,?
• I want a system that employs AI to enhance cloud security,?
• So that the organization’s data and resources are protected against evolving threats.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story A: Implement a machine learning-based anomaly detection system.?
• Story B: Develop an AI mechanism for automatic threat response and mitigation.?
• Story C: Create a continuous learning loop for the AI to adapt to new security challenges.?

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Feature: Seamless Integration and User Experience?

• As an IT Specialist,?
• I want the monitoring system to integrate effortlessly with external management platforms and cloud environments,?
• So that the user experience is cohesive and consistent across various platforms.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story A: Develop plugins and APIs for leading cloud services like AWS, Azure, and GCP.?
• Story B: Ensure a unified dashboard experience that aggregates data across platforms.?
• Story C: Create a suite of tools for easy migration and management of multi-cloud resources.?

Acceptance Criteria:?

• The system must provide comprehensive monitoring with automated adjustments to resource allocation.?
• Security features must reduce the time to detect and respond to threats by a significant margin.?
• The user interface must be rated highly in terms of ease of use and integration capabilities.?
• The system should demonstrate compatibility with multiple cloud platforms without performance degradation.?

?Upon the completion of this epic, AI Sentinel will not only redefine the standards for cloud endpoint monitoring but will also offer a forward-thinking solution for enterprises seeking to harness the full potential of their cloud infrastructure with AI at the helm.?

PRO TIP – Breaking Down Large Stories?

In the example above under ‘Feature: Autonomous Monitoring and Configuration’ we were given the story **Story A: Implement a machine learning-based anomaly detection system.** 

Using our judgement on the scope and scale of a story that size, it seems like this is more of an Epic and something that could not be completed in a couple sprints. 

Let's investigate our assumption using ChatGPT or generative AI.?        

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Let us write another prompt to check this out and validate our thinking to see what the proposesed Story A would look like as an Epic...?

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Prompt Example:?

“Story A: Design an AI model to analyze and optimize cloud resource allocation. Under Feature: Autonomous Monitoring and Configuration looks too big. Rewrite this story as an Agile epic and clarify what AI technologies we should consider”?

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ChatGPT Output?(the new Epic generated from our prompt)

Epic Title: AI-Driven Resource Allocation Optimization?

Epic Summary:?

The focus of this epic is the development of a sophisticated AI model, dedicated to the analysis and optimization of cloud resource allocation. This AI model will serve as the core of the AI Sentinel's autonomous monitoring and configuration capabilities, ensuring cloud resources are utilized to their fullest potential while maintaining cost efficiency and high performance.?

?Epic Description:?

Feature: Intelligent Resource Allocation Engine?

• As a Cloud Architect,?
• I want to implement an AI-powered engine that can intelligently allocate cloud resources,?
• So that we can achieve optimal balance between performance, cost, and availability.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story 1: Research and integrate machine learning algorithms capable of predicting usage patterns and automatically scaling resources accordingly.?
• Story 2: Incorporate AI-driven analytics to identify underutilized resources and recommend consolidation or decommissioning strategies.?
• Story 3: Develop an AI system for real-time resource allocation in response to sudden traffic spikes or application demands.?

?Feature: Cost-Effective Operations with AI?

• As a Financial Controller for IT Services,?
• I want an AI mechanism that minimizes cloud spending without compromising on necessary resources,?
• So that the company can maintain economic efficiency alongside technological advancement.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story 1: Design a cost-analysis AI module to track, predict, and optimize cloud expenses.?
• Story 2: Create an AI feature for automated tagging and tracking of cloud resources to enhance cost allocation and accountability.?

• Story 3: Integrate AI-powered suggestions for the best mix of reserved, on-demand, and spot instances to optimize costs.?

?Feature: AI Technologies Implementation?

• As a Cloud Solutions Developer,?
• I want to evaluate and select the most appropriate AI technologies for our resource allocation model,?
• So that the system is built on robust and scalable AI foundations.?

Stories Under This Feature:?

• Story 1: Assess various AI technologies such as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and reinforcement learning for their suitability in resource prediction and allocation.?
• Story 2: Prototype models using selected AI technologies to test their efficacy in a controlled cloud environment.?
• Story 3: Establish benchmarks for AI model performance, ensuring that they meet the standards for speed, accuracy, and reliability.?

?Acceptance Criteria:?

• The AI model must successfully predict and respond to changes in resource demand with a high degree of accuracy.?
• The model should demonstrate cost savings through optimized resource allocation strategies.?
• The technology selected must be scalable and adaptable to different cloud environments and platforms.?
• Feedback from beta testing with cloud architects and financial controllers should indicate a significant improvement in resource management efficiency.?

?By fulfilling this epic, AI Sentinel will be poised to offer unparalleled value in cloud resource management, leveraging AI technologies to deliver a truly autonomous cloud environment.?

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We were probably correct in our assumption...? 

Story A would have been BIG. Larger than 2 sprints. Its actually the size and scope of an Epic. 

Turns out all of the stories in the original Epic are actually Epics and not Stories.

Its always up to the Produt Manager to do some further research on scope of stories proposed by ChatGPT or generative AI.        

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Conclusion?

Generative AI like ChatGPT is a powerful ally for product managers in the assistance of writing and validating Agile Scrum Epics.

By following best practices, product managers can ensure that the epics generated by AI not only meet the high standards required for effective agile development but also push the boundaries of creativity and strategic thinking.

The result is a more dynamic and responsive product development process that can adapt to changing market demands and user needs while staying on the forefront of technology and innovation.?

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