Agile methodology has gained immense popularity over the years in the software development industry. It is an iterative and collaborative approach that emphasizes customer satisfaction, flexibility, and adaptability to change.
In Agile, the team works in sprints, which are short iterations of work that typically last for 2-4 weeks. During these sprints, the team focuses on delivering a working product increment.
One of the practices used in Agile methodology is playing poker. But what exactly is playing poker in Agile? Let’s dive deep into this concept.
Playing poker in Agile is a technique used by teams to estimate the effort required to complete a particular task or user story. It is also known as Planning Poker or Scrum Poker. This technique involves a group of team members coming together to discuss and estimate the complexity of a task through a voting process.
The process starts with each team member receiving a deck of cards with different numbers on them, usually ranging from 0-100 or higher. The numbers represent “story points,” which are a unit of measurement used to estimate the effort required for a task or user story.
The facilitator then reads out the user story or task at hand, and each team member privately selects a card that represents their estimate of how complex that task is. Once everyone has made their selection, they reveal their cards simultaneously.
If there is consensus among all team members on the estimated story point value, then it becomes the official estimate for that particular task or user story. However, if there are discrepancies between estimates, then it opens up an opportunity for discussion and further clarification.
Playing poker in Agile has several benefits. Firstly, it allows for all team members to participate in estimating tasks regardless of their position or experience level. This promotes collaboration and encourages everyone’s opinion to be heard.
Secondly, playing poker helps teams avoid anchoring bias, where one member’s estimate may influence others’ opinions leading to inaccurate estimations. By simultaneously revealing the cards, each member’s estimate is independent of others’ opinion, leading to a more objective estimate.
Lastly, playing poker in Agile helps teams to identify areas of uncertainty and potential obstacles that may arise during the task’s completion. This allows for a more accurate estimation of effort required and reduces the likelihood of unexpected surprises during the sprint.
In conclusion, playing poker in Agile is an effective technique that promotes collaboration, avoids bias and helps teams accurately estimate the effort required for tasks. By using this technique, teams can focus on delivering high-quality products within their sprint cycles.
