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Managing a large Epic with multiple stories can be challenging, especially in a Waterfall workflow. This use case outlines how Visual Dependencies helps teams quickly visualize child work items, sub-tasks, and relations.

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Persona: Alex, Product Manager

Problem:

Alex manages a large Epic where multiple tasks are planned in a sequential, Managing Waterfall-style workflow sprints are not used, and all work items are dropped into a single Epic. Without clear visibility, it’s hard to track which tasks depend on others, identify blockers, and understand how sub-tasks contribute to the overall delivery. Vital dependencies may be overlooked, leading to delays or rework.

Solution:

Alex uses Visual Dependencies with the Depth control to explore the Epic’s structure and dependencies in a Waterfall context:

• Depth = 1: Shows all child work items directly linked to the Epic which are the main sequential steps in the Waterfall plan.
• Depth = 2: Expands to include sub-tasks under each child work item, providing a detailed view of work execution.
• Depth = 3+: Displays related work items and their sub-tasks, revealing cross-task dependencies that may affect the planned sequence.

By visualizing the Epic this way, Alex can see the entire chain of work and understand how each step fits into the overall plan without relying on sprints or manual inspection of work items.

See more about how this feature works ⬇️

Outcome:

Alex gains a complete picture of the Epic’s structure in a Waterfall workflow. He can quickly detect potential bottlenecks, prioritize tasks in order, and track progress against the planned sequence.

Value:

• Saves time: No more manually opening dozens of work items to understand dependencies.
• Improves planning accuracy: Ensures that sequential work items and sub-tasks are correctly visualized.
• Supports Waterfall methodology: Helps PMs follow a sequential workflow while still having full visibility of dependencies.
• Enhances team alignment: Everyone understands the full task chain, reducing miscommunication and preventing delays.