How Does Planit Poker Work?

Planit Poker is a popular online tool used by teams to estimate the effort required to complete a project. It follows the agile approach, where team members collaborate and share their thoughts to reach a consensus on the estimated time required to complete a task. The tool is simple to use, and it eases the estimation process while making it more accurate.

In this article, we will dive deep into how Planit Poker works and how you can use it for your next project.

The Basics of Planit Poker

Planit Poker uses a technique called Planning Poker that helps teams estimate work items or tasks in terms of complexity. The team members participate in a game-like session where each member has to commit his or her estimate. The process ensures that all team members have an equal say, and no one opinion dominates the estimation process.

To begin using Planit Poker, you first need to create an account. Once signed up, you can select your team size, invite other team members to join the account, and start estimating your tasks.

How Planit Poker Works

Planit Poker works by following these steps:

  1. Start by selecting a task from your backlog.
  2. The moderator (usually the product owner) reads out the task description.
  3. The team members discuss any doubts or questions around the task.
  4. Each member then selects an estimate based on their understanding of the complexity of the item.
  5. The estimates are hidden until every member has made their selection.
  6. Once everyone has made their choice, all estimates are revealed simultaneously.
  7. If all estimates match, then that becomes the final estimate for that task.
  8. If there is a significant difference in estimates, then each member shares their reasoning for why they believe their estimate to be correct.
  9. The team then discusses and re-estimates until a consensus is reached.

Features of Planit Poker

Planit Poker comes with several features that help teams in their estimation process. Some of the notable features are:

PRO TIP:Planit Poker is an effective tool for planning and estimating tasks. It is based on the Wideband-Delphi technique, which helps to reduce the amount of bias when estimating tasks. To use Planit Poker, each participant provides an estimate for a task during a game-like session. The estimates are then anonymously shared with the group, and everyone is given a chance to revise their estimate based on the other estimates in the group. After several rounds of anonymous voting, the team can come to an agreement on the task’s estimated time and effort needed.
  • Multiple Game Modes: Planit Poker offers various game modes, such as Fibonacci, T-Shirt, and Custom modes. Teams can choose the mode that best suits their needs.
  • Integration with other tools: Planit Poker integrates with other project management tools such as Jira, Trello, Asana, and others. This feature makes it easier for teams to incorporate estimation into their existing workflow.
  • Real-time Estimates: With Planit Poker, all estimates are displayed in real-time.

    This feature helps teams see how close they are to reaching a consensus and helps them make informed decisions quickly.

  • History and Reporting: Planit Poker maintains a history of all estimations made by the team. This data can be used for future reference or analysis purposes. Additionally, it generates reports on past estimations which can be useful for identifying patterns and trends over time.

The Benefits of Using Planit Poker

Using Planit Poker has many benefits for teams:

  • Better Accuracy: By involving all team members in the estimation process, Planit Poker ensures that everyone’s opinion is taken into account. This approach leads to more accurate estimates than if one person were to make the decision alone.
  • Fosters Collaboration: The collaborative nature of Planit Poker encourages communication between team members.

    It allows them to share their thoughts and concerns and helps to build a more cohesive team.

  • Increased Transparency: With Planit Poker, all estimates are visible to all team members. This transparency helps to build trust within the team and promotes accountability for each member’s contributions.
  • Saves Time: Planit Poker streamlines the estimation process by making it quicker and more efficient. It eliminates the need for lengthy discussions and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Conclusion

Planit Poker is an excellent tool for teams looking to streamline their estimation process. With its game-like approach, it encourages collaboration and communication between team members while ensuring that everyone’s opinion is taken into account.

Its many features make it a versatile tool that can be integrated with other project management tools, making it easier for teams to incorporate estimation into their existing workflow. By using Planit Poker, teams can improve their accuracy, foster collaboration, increase transparency, and save time.