Poker Planning is a technique used in Agile project management to estimate the time required to complete a certain task or feature. It is also known as Scrum Poker, Agile Poker or Planning Poker.
The idea behind Poker Planning is to involve all team members in estimation process, so that everyone has a voice and can contribute to the discussion. This helps avoid biases and ensure that estimates are accurate and realistic.
Jira, one of the most popular project management tools used by Agile teams, provides built-in support for Poker Planning. In this article, we will discuss how Poker Planning works in Jira and how your team can benefit from it.
To use Poker Planning in Jira, you need to create a new issue or open an existing one. Then, click on the ‘Estimation’ field and select ‘Start Poker Session’. This will initiate the planning process.
During a Poker Planning session, each team member is given a deck of cards with numbers printed on them (usually Fibonacci numbers). The cards represent different levels of effort required to complete the task or feature. For example, 1 may represent a very easy task that can be completed quickly, while 13 may represent a complex task that requires significant effort.
The team then discusses the task or feature and each member privately selects a card that represents their estimate of effort required. Once everyone has made their selection, all cards are revealed simultaneously.
If there is consensus among team members on the estimate, it becomes the official estimate for that task. If there are differences in estimates, team members discuss their reasoning and make another round of estimates until consensus is reached.
Using Poker Planning in Jira has several benefits for Agile teams:
1. Involves all team members: Everyone gets to contribute to estimation process which results in better estimates. 2. Promotes discussion: Team members discuss their reasoning behind their estimates which helps identify potential issues early on. 3.
Reduces biases: By involving all team members, biases are reduced and estimates are more realistic. 4. Provides transparency: Everyone in the team knows how much effort is required for a task which helps with prioritization. 5. Saves time: Poker Planning is quick and efficient as it involves everyone in the estimation process.
In conclusion, Poker Planning is a powerful technique for Agile teams to estimate effort required for tasks and features. It helps avoid biases, promote discussion and involve all team members in estimation process.
With built-in support for Poker Planning in Jira, using this technique has never been easier. Try it out with your team and see the benefits for yourself!
