Planning Poker
A consensus-based estimation technique used by agile teams. Each team member uses a deck of cards with Fibonacci-sequence numbers to estimate the effort or complexity of a user story. Simultaneous card reveal prevents anchoring. The discussion triggered by divergent estimates is where the real value lies — it surfaces different assumptions and hidden complexity.
How to run it
- 1
The product owner reads a user story aloud and answers clarifying questions.
- 2
Each participant privately selects a card representing their effort estimate.
- 3
All participants reveal their cards simultaneously.
- 4
If estimates are similar: take the average or majority and record the estimate.
- 5
If estimates diverge significantly: the highest and lowest estimators explain their reasoning.
- 6
After discussion, run another round. Repeat until the group converges.
- 7
Record the agreed estimate and move to the next story.
Tips
The '?' card means 'I don't understand this story enough to estimate' — it's a signal to clarify, not to skip.
The ☕ card signals the team needs a break.
Don't skip divergence discussions — they're the point.
Variations
Run online with tools like PlanITPoker or Jira. Use T-shirt sizing (XS/S/M/L/XL) instead of numbers for non-technical audiences.
Where it fits
Related methods
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Planning Poker?▾
Use Planning Poker when you want to: Sprint planning; Backlog refinement; Agile estimation workshops.
How long does Planning Poker take?▾
Planning Poker typically takes 30–90 minutes.
How many participants does Planning Poker work for?▾
Planning Poker works best for groups of 2–10 participants.
What materials do I need for Planning Poker?▾
To run Planning Poker you will need: Planning Poker cards (Fibonacci: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 40, 100, ?, ☕), backlog items to estimate.
How difficult is Planning Poker to facilitate?▾
Planning Poker is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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