Planning poker is a popular agile estimation technique that has been widely adopted by development teams around the world. It is a collaborative effort that involves team members coming together to estimate the complexity of a given task or user story. One of the most commonly asked questions about planning poker is whether or not it is an anonymous process.
The answer to this question is not straightforward, as it depends on how you define “anonymous.” Let’s take a closer look at what planning poker entails and how anonymity plays a role in it.
What Is Planning Poker
Planning poker, also known as Scrum poker, is an estimation technique used in agile software development. It involves team members coming together to estimate the complexity of a task or user story by assigning point values to it. The process involves each team member being given a deck of cards with point values ranging from 0 to 100, with each value representing an estimate of the amount of effort required to complete the task at hand.
The team members then take turns revealing their cards and explaining their reasoning for their chosen value. The goal is to reach consensus on an estimated point value for the task or user story being discussed.
Is Planning Poker Anonymous
Now that we have a better understanding of what planning poker entails, let’s address the question at hand: Is planning poker anonymous
The answer is both yes and no. In traditional planning poker sessions, team members reveal their estimates and reasoning for those estimates, which means that it is not entirely anonymous. However, some teams choose to use anonymous planning poker methods in which each team member submits their estimate privately without revealing it to others until everyone has submitted their estimates.
Whether or not planning poker should be anonymous depends on your team’s needs and preferences. Some teams prefer the transparency of openly discussing estimates, while others prefer the anonymity of submitting private estimates.
Benefits of Anonymous Planning Poker
There are a few benefits to using anonymous planning poker methods:
- Reduced Bias: When team members are not influenced by each other’s estimates, they are more likely to provide their honest opinion on the complexity of a task or user story. This can lead to more accurate estimates.
- Inclusivity: In some cases, team members may feel intimidated or hesitant to share their opinions in front of others. Anonymous planning poker can help create a more inclusive environment by removing this barrier.
- Fairness: Anonymity ensures that all team members have an equal say in the estimation process without any one member dominating the conversation.
Drawbacks of Anonymous Planning Poker
While anonymous planning poker has its benefits, it also has some drawbacks:
- Lack of Discussion: Without open discussion, team members may not have an opportunity to share their reasoning for their estimates or discuss any discrepancies in estimates. This can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate estimates.
- No Accountability: With each team member submitting their estimate privately, there is no accountability if someone significantly over or underestimates a task or user story. This can make it difficult to identify and address estimation issues.
- No Learning Opportunity: Openly discussing estimates provides an opportunity for team members to learn from each other and gain a better understanding of the complexity involved in different tasks and user stories.
In Conclusion
Is planning poker anonymous The answer is that it depends on your team’s preferences and needs. While traditional planning poker sessions involve open discussion and are not entirely anonymous, some teams prefer to use anonymous planning poker methods for their benefits of reduced bias, inclusivity, and fairness.
However, it’s important to consider the drawbacks of anonymous planning poker, such as the lack of discussion, no accountability, and missed learning opportunities. Ultimately, the decision to use anonymous planning poker should be made based on what works best for your team.
