Planning Poker, also known as Scrum Poker, is a collaborative estimation technique widely used in Agile and Scrum methodologies. It’s not just a tool for estimating; it’s a process that fosters teamwork, transparency, and better decision-making.
The goal is to evaluate the complexity and effort required to complete specific tasks or user stories in a project. But how does it work, and why has it become a favorite among Agile teams worldwide? Let’s dive in.
At its core, Planning Poker combines the principles of group consensus and gamification. This method emerged as a response to the common challenges teams face during estimation: lack of alignment, unclear expectations, and the influence of dominant opinions.
By using a structured approach and an engaging format, teams can produce more accurate and reliable estimates while keeping everyone involved.
Planning Poker isn’t just about assigning numbers to tasks; it’s about fostering meaningful discussions. When every team member contributes their perspective, the estimation process becomes a shared understanding of what’s needed to deliver value to the end user.
Imagine a group of team members sitting together—physically or virtually—ready to estimate a set of tasks. The process begins with the presentation of a user story. The product owner or facilitator explains the details of the story, ensuring that everyone understands the requirements, scope, and potential challenges.
Once the story is clear, the magic of Planning Poker unfolds. Each participant selects a card from a predefined deck (usually based on the Fibonacci sequence: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on). These numbers represent the relative effort or complexity of the task. Importantly, this selection happens privately, avoiding the influence of louder voices in the room.
When everyone is ready, the cards are revealed simultaneously. If the team’s estimates align, the story’s complexity is agreed upon, and the process moves on to the next task. However, if there’s a significant variation in the estimates, this becomes an opportunity for dialogue. Why does one member see the task as simple, while another sees it as highly complex? These discussions often uncover hidden assumptions or overlooked risks, ultimately leading to a more informed estimate.
This iterative process continues until the team reaches consensus on every story, ensuring that all voices are heard and every detail is considered.
One of the most fundamental principles of Planning Poker is the use of effort-based estimation rather than measuring tasks in terms of time. This distinction might seem subtle, but it’s crucial for the success of Agile teams.
Estimating effort instead of time helps account for variability and uncertainty in tasks. Effort captures the complexity, risk, and unknowns associated with a user story, while time focuses narrowly on duration. Two tasks requiring the same effort might take different amounts of time due to external factors, such as individual skill levels, distractions, or dependencies on other teams.
By measuring effort, teams can establish a shared understanding of the relative difficulty of tasks without being constrained by individual productivity rates. This makes the process fairer, more collaborative, and better suited for Agile methodologies, where adaptability is key.
That said, we recognize that some teams prefer to estimate using time, whether for legacy reasons or due to specific business requirements. While effort remains the preferred approach, our platform supports time-based estimation to accommodate such needs.
Among the various methods for estimating effort, the Fibonacci sequence (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.) has become the most popular choice in Agile practices.
The Fibonacci sequence is particularly effective because the numbers grow exponentially, emphasizing the increasing uncertainty and complexity of larger tasks. Estimating a task as “1” versus “3” is straightforward, but distinguishing between “40” and “50” is less meaningful. The gaps between Fibonacci numbers force teams to think critically and avoid overanalyzing small differences, which can derail productive discussions.
To make the process even more engaging, our platform includes non-numerical options like:
These symbols are small but powerful tools to ensure the process remains collaborative and dynamic.
This version (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.) includes smaller increments at the lower end, which can be helpful for teams working on highly granular tasks or in need of finer distinctions for smaller stories.
Instead of numbers, this method uses relative size categories like XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, and so on. It’s especially useful for teams new to Agile, as it offers a more intuitive and less intimidating way to estimate.
With values like 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and beyond, this method emphasizes exponential growth, similar to Fibonacci, but with a simpler progression. It’s ideal for teams that prefer a straightforward and consistent scale.
For teams that still rely on time-based planning, our tool offers units such as 1h, 2h, 4h, 1d, and so on. While we encourage the use of effort-based estimation, we recognize that some workflows might require time units for reporting or legacy compatibility.
The best estimation scale is the one that resonates most with your team’s needs and experience level. For newer Agile teams, starting with T-shirt sizing or Simplified Fibonacci can make the transition smoother. More experienced teams might prefer the precision and flexibility of traditional Fibonacci or even Power of 2.
Regardless of the method you choose, the key is consistency. When everyone on the team understands and uses the same scale, the estimation process becomes faster, clearer, and more effective.
Planning Poker offers several advantages beyond accurate estimates. It encourages collaboration and ensures that every team member, regardless of their role or experience, contributes to the planning process. This inclusivity leads to stronger alignment and fewer surprises during execution.
Moreover, the gamified nature of Planning Poker keeps the process engaging, even for longer sessions. It’s a refreshing change from traditional estimation methods, which can often feel tedious or overly analytical.
Perhaps most importantly, Planning Poker promotes transparency. By openly discussing discrepancies in estimates, teams build trust and gain a shared understanding of what’s required to succeed.
In today’s world, where remote work is increasingly common, Planning Poker has seamlessly transitioned to the digital space. Online platforms, like ours, bring teams together no matter where they’re located. These tools replicate the traditional Planning Poker experience while adding features that enhance productivity.
With our online Planning Poker platform, you can easily create and manage sessions, invite team members, and estimate user stories in real time. The interface is intuitive, allowing you to focus on collaboration rather than navigating complex software.
Our platform is designed with teams in mind. Whether you’re a small startup or part of a large enterprise, our tool adapts to your needs. You’ll enjoy seamless integration with project management tools like Jira and Trello, making it easier to track and implement your estimates.
With features like real-time voting, discussion boards, and automated documentation, our online Planning Poker tool streamlines the estimation process while keeping it engaging and efficient.
Planning Poker isn’t just a technique—it’s a mindset that transforms the way teams approach planning and estimation. By combining collaboration, clarity, and fun, it sets the stage for successful projects and satisfied teams.
Ready to elevate your Agile process? Try our online Planning Poker tool and experience the difference for yourself. Whether you’re new to Agile or a seasoned pro, Planning Poker is the perfect way to bring your team together and deliver exceptional results.