In Agile methodology, epics and user stories are both tools used to manage and prioritize requirements, but they serve different purposes and levels of granularity:

1. Epic:

   • An epic is a large, high-level requirement or feature that typically cannot be completed within a single iteration or sprint. It represents a significant chunk of work that may need to be broken down into smaller, more manageable user stories.
   • Epics provide a way to capture and track large-scale initiatives or goals for the product. They are often used for long-term planning and roadmap development.
   • Epics are usually defined at the beginning of a project or during the early stages of product planning. They help stakeholders understand the scope and direction of the project without getting into detailed implementation specifics.
   • Examples of epics might include "User Authentication System," "Enhanced Reporting Module," or "Mobile App Integration."

2. User Story:

   • A user story is a small, concise description of a specific piece of functionality or requirement from an end user's perspective. It represents a single unit of work that can be completed within one iteration or sprint.
   • User stories typically follow a specific format, often referred to as the "As a [user role], I want [goal], so that [reason/benefit]." This format helps ensure that user stories are focused on delivering value to the end user.
   • User stories are used to capture detailed requirements and functionality, allowing Agile teams to prioritize and implement features incrementally based on user needs and feedback.
   • User stories are usually written collaboratively by the development team and stakeholders, often during backlog grooming or sprint planning sessions.
   • Examples of user stories might include "As a registered user, I want to reset my password so that I can regain access to my account" or "As an admin user, I want to generate monthly reports so that I can track project progress."

In summary, epics represent large-scale initiatives or features at a high level, while user stories are smaller, more detailed requirements that can be implemented within a single iteration. Epics help provide context and direction for the project, while user stories enable Agile teams to deliver incremental value to users in a focused and iterative manner.