What portfolio-level role coordinates portfolio Epics through the Portfolio Kanban system?

The role that coordinates portfolio Epics through the Portfolio Kanban system is the Epic Owner. Epic Owners are responsible for managing the flow of Epics, which are large initiatives that deliver significant business value. They ensure that these Epics are properly defined, prioritized, and tracked through the Portfolio Kanban system, which visualizes the state of these Epics and helps in managing work at the portfolio level.

Epic Owners play a crucial role in aligning the portfolio initiatives with the strategic goals of the organization. They act as the key point of contact for various stakeholders, ensuring that the Epics are continuously refined and maintained as they move from ideation through different states in the Kanban system until they are completed. This coordination is vital for efficiently implementing Agility at the portfolio level and delivering value to customers.

While Lean Portfolio Management focuses on aligning strategy and execution by managing investment funding and governance, it does not directly coordinate the Epics. Enabler Epics serve a different purpose by supporting the development of capabilities, and the Enterprise Architect is responsible for ensuring the overall architecture and technical alignment, which is also distinct from the specific coordination role of the Epic Owner.