Getting Started with Planning Poker: A Complete Guide

Planning poker is one of the most effective techniques for agile estimation, helping development teams collaborate on story point estimation in a fun and engaging way. Whether you're new to agile methodologies or looking to improve your team's estimation process, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What is Planning Poker?

Planning poker, also known as Scrum poker, is a consensus-based estimation technique used in agile software development. Team members use cards with numbers representing story points or ideal days to estimate the effort required to complete user stories or tasks.

Key Benefits

• Eliminates anchoring bias - Team members reveal their estimates simultaneously
• Encourages discussion - Different estimates lead to valuable conversations
• Engages the whole team - Everyone participates in the estimation process
• Improves accuracy - Group estimates are typically more accurate than individual ones

How Planning Poker Works

The process is straightforward and follows these steps:

1. Prepare the Session

• Gather your team - Include developers, testers, and product owner
• Prepare user stories - Ensure stories are well-defined and ready for estimation
• Choose your scale - Common scales include Fibonacci (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21) or T-shirt sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL)

2. Present the User Story

The product owner or scrum master presents a user story, explaining:

• What needs to be built
• Acceptance criteria
• Any technical constraints or dependencies

3. Discussion and Questions

Team members ask clarifying questions about:

• Technical implementation details
• Edge cases and error handling
• Integration points with other systems
• Testing requirements

4. Estimation Round

• Each team member selects a card representing their estimate
• Everyone reveals their cards simultaneously
• If estimates are similar, use the consensus estimate
• If estimates vary significantly, discuss the differences

5. Re-estimation (if needed)

After discussion, team members may change their estimates based on new insights. Repeat the estimation round until consensus is reached.

Best Practices for Effective Planning Poker

Keep Sessions Focused

• Time-box discussions - Limit debate to 5-10 minutes per story
• Stay on topic - Avoid diving into implementation details
• Use a facilitator - Keep the session moving and on track

Create the Right Environment

• Include the right people - Those who will work on the stories
• Minimize distractions - Turn off notifications and close unnecessary applications
• Encourage participation - Ensure everyone's voice is heard

Handle Disagreements Constructively

When estimates vary significantly:

1. Ask the high and low estimators to explain their reasoning
2. Identify assumptions that might be different
3. Clarify requirements if needed
4. Re-estimate after discussion

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The Anchoring Effect

Even with simultaneous reveal, the first person to speak can influence others. Encourage the high and low estimators to explain their reasoning first.

Over-Engineering Estimates

Don't spend too much time on perfect estimates. Remember, they're estimates, not commitments.

Ignoring Team Dynamics

Watch for:

• Dominant personalities overshadowing others
• Junior members not participating
• Pressure to conform to senior estimates

Tools for Remote Planning Poker

For distributed teams, consider these digital tools:

• Planning Poker Online - Web-based estimation tools
• Jira Planning Poker - Integrated with Atlassian tools
• Scrum Poker Apps - Mobile-friendly options
• Custom Solutions - Build your own tool for specific needs

Measuring Success

Track these metrics to improve your planning poker sessions:

• Estimation accuracy - Compare estimates to actual effort
• Velocity consistency - Monitor sprint-to-sprint velocity
• Team engagement - Ensure all members participate actively
• Time efficiency - Keep sessions productive and focused

Getting Started Today

Ready to implement planning poker with your team? Here's your action plan:

1. Schedule a session - Start with a small set of well-defined stories
2. Explain the process - Ensure everyone understands the rules
3. Choose your tools - Select cards or digital tools that work for your team
4. Practice and iterate - Refine your process based on team feedback

Conclusion

Planning poker is more than just an estimation technique—it's a collaborative practice that brings teams together, improves communication, and leads to better project outcomes. By following the guidelines in this post and adapting them to your team's needs, you'll be well on your way to more accurate estimates and better sprint planning.

Remember, the goal isn't perfect estimates but rather shared understanding and team alignment. Start simple, be consistent, and continuously improve your process based on what works best for your team.

Ready to try planning poker with your team? Our online planning poker tool makes it easy to get started with remote estimation sessions. Start a session now and experience the benefits of collaborative estimation.