# Slice an epic into small releasable increments

Thin vertical slices that each deliver user value and can ship independently, with a sensible release order.

- Topic: Product & UX Design
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/slice-an-epic-into-small-releasable-increments

## Prompt

```text
Break this epic into small, independently releasable slices.

**Epic:** [DESCRIPTION AND GOAL]
**Users and main workflow:** [WHO DOES WHAT]
**Full scope as currently imagined:** [LIST]
**Constraints:** [DEADLINE, TEAM SIZE, TECH LIMITS]
**What we most need to learn early:** [RISKIEST ASSUMPTION]

Rules for slicing:
- Slice vertically: each slice works end to end for a user (UI, logic, data), not by technical layer.
- Each slice is shippable (behind a flag if needed) and fits in a sprint or less.
- Use slicing patterns where they help: happy path first, one user type first, manual before automated, one platform or integration first, simple rules before complex ones, read-only before edit.
- The first slice should test the riskiest assumption or deliver the core value with the least work.

Return:
1. A table: Slice | User value delivered | What is deliberately left out | Pattern used | Relative size (S/M/L).
2. A recommended release order with the reason for the order.
3. The minimum set of slices that would let us call the epic useful.
4. A user story with acceptance criteria for the first slice.
5. Any slice that is still too big, with a suggestion to split it further.
```

## What to fill in

- DESCRIPTION AND GOAL
- WHO DOES WHAT
- LIST
- DEADLINE, TEAM SIZE, TECH LIMITS
- RISKIEST ASSUMPTION

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.