Planning Poker as estimation tool?

Planning Poker, also known as Scrum Poker, is a consensus-based, gamified technique used in Agile development for estimating the effort or relative size of development goals¹⁵. Here's how it works:

1. The product owner or customer reads an Agile user story or describes a feature to the estimators¹.
2. Team members make estimates by playing numbered cards face-down on the table without revealing their estimate. The numbers often follow the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 40, etc.)¹.
3. Cards are simultaneously displayed¹.
4. The estimates are then discussed, and high and low estimates are explained¹.
5. The process is repeated as needed until estimates converge¹.

This method helps avoid the cognitive bias of anchoring, where the first number spoken aloud sets a precedent for subsequent estimates¹. It's a collaborative technique that not only improves the accuracy of estimations but also enhances team engagement². Planning Poker is particularly useful in larger teams where effective estimation can be challenging¹. It's a key part of Agile project management, helping teams to plan and strategize their work³⁴..

• What is Planning Poker in Agile? - Visual Paradigm. https://www.visual-paradigm.com/scrum/what-is-agile-planning-poker/.
• Planning poker - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planning_poker.
• Scrum Poker for Agile Projects - Work Life by Atlassian. https://www.atlassian.com/blog/platform/scrum-poker-for-agile-projects.
• What Is Planning Poker in Agile? | Wrike Guide. https://www.wrike.com/agile-guide/faq/what-is-planning-poker/.
• Agile Planning Poker. https://agileplanningpoker.com/.
• en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planning_poker.