# How to plan an epic on the timeline in Jira

Use this walkthrough to create an epic, connect existing backlog items to it, and start a sprint. Follow the steps in order to move from planning on the timeline to launching work on the board.

## 1. Create a new epic

![Create a new epic](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-1.jpg)

On the Timeline tab, click + Create to add a new work item. This starts the process of creating your epic on the timeline.

## 2. Save the epic

![Save the epic](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-2.jpg)

Enter the epic name, then click Create. The new epic is now saved on the timeline.

## 3. Open Backlog

![Open Backlog](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-3.jpg)

Go to the Backlog tab. This opens the work items list so you can link existing backlog items to your new epic.

## 4. Open the epic field on a backlog item

![Open the epic field on a backlog item](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-4.jpg)

In the Backlog list, find BRW-6 Cups per location chart. Click its + Epic field to assign that item to an epic.

## 5. Choose the new epic

![Choose the new epic](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-5.jpg)

Select BRW-13 Usage dashboard from the list. The Usage dashboard epic label then appears on several backlog items.

## 6. Return to Timeline

![Return to Timeline](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-6.jpg)

Switch back to the Timeline tab. This takes you back to the date grid so you can continue scheduling the epic.

## 7. Start the sprint

![Start the sprint](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-7.jpg)

In BRW Sprint 2, click Start sprint. This begins work for the items grouped under your epic.

## 8. Confirm the sprint launch

![Confirm the sprint launch](https://turtlescenestore.blob.core.windows.net/screenshots/cf96ab4d-aed4-4e9b-8603-5814476b1f94/demos/445c8f4e-e1f3-4e91-b407-162c2259863f/pack-1792658480420/article/step-8.jpg)

Review the sprint details, including BRW Sprint 2, the two-week duration, the dates, and the sprint goal. Then click Start to launch the sprint board.

After the sprint starts, you can track the epic-linked items on the board as they move through the workflow columns.