Poker planning, also known as planning poker or agile estimation, is a technique used in Agile projects to estimate the effort required for specific tasks or user stories. It is typically done during Sprint Planning, and it helps teams reach a consensus on the size and complexity of work. To master poker planning in Agile projects, follow these best practices:
· Understand the Basics:
o Start by understanding the basics of poker planning. It involves using a set of cards or other symbols to estimate the relative effort or complexity of user stories or tasks.
· Use a Standard Deck:
o Use a standard deck of planning poker cards or symbols. Common sets include Fibonacci numbers (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc.) or T-shirt sizes (S, M, L, XL). Choose the one that works best for your team.
· Involve the Whole Team:
o Ensure that the entire Agile team participates in poker planning. This includes developers, testers, designers, and other relevant roles. Diverse perspectives lead to more accurate estimates.
· User Story Understanding:
o Make sure the team has a clear understanding of the user story or task being estimated. Discuss the requirements and acceptance criteria to avoid misunderstandings.
· Silent Estimation:
o Begin by having team members silently select a card representing their estimate. This prevents the influence of others’ opinions.
· Reveal and Discuss:
o Once everyone has made their estimates, reveal the cards simultaneously. If there’s a wide variation in estimates, have team members discuss the reasons behind their choices.
· Repeat and Revote:
o If there’s a significant difference in estimates, repeat the estimation process after the discussion. This helps the team reach a consensus on the estimate.
· Avoid Anchoring:
o Avoid anchoring, where one team member’s estimate strongly influences others. By initially estimating silently, you reduce the likelihood of anchoring.
· Timeboxing:
o Set a time limit for each estimation session to keep the process efficient. If an estimate can’t be reached within the time limit, the team should flag it for further discussion or break it into smaller tasks
· Use Historical Data:
o Refer to historical data and past sprint velocity to provide context for estimating. This can help make estimates more accurate.
· Relative Estimation:
o Emphasize that poker planning is about relative estimation. It’s about understanding the relative effort between tasks, not absolute time estimates.
· Use the Most Likely Estimation:
o Encourage team members to choose the estimate that represents the most likely effort required. Avoid being overly optimistic or pessimistic.
· Record Estimates:
o Document the estimates for reference. This helps with sprint planning and retrospective discussions.
· Keep It Fun:
o Make poker planning sessions enjoyable. Using a poker theme and maintaining a positive atmosphere can enhance team engagement.
· Iterate and Improve:
o Continuously improve the poker planning process. Gather feedback from team members and make adjustments as needed to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
· Adapt to Complexity:
o Recognize that some tasks may be more complex or uncertain. For such tasks, it’s acceptable to provide a wider range of estimates.
Mastering poker planning in Agile projects is an iterative process. With practice and ongoing refinement, your team can become more accurate in estimating work, leading to better sprint planning and project management.