Which Sequence Is Most Appropriate for Usage in Planning Poker Estimation for Story Points?

Planning Poker Estimation is a popular method used by Agile teams to estimate the effort required to complete a user story. It involves assigning Story Points to each user story based on its complexity, risk, and other factors.

During the estimation process, team members discuss and debate the relative effort required for each user story, using a set of predefined sequences. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the right sequence for Planning Poker Estimation. In this article, we will explore which sequence is most appropriate for usage in Planning Poker Estimation for Story Points.

Firstly, let’s define what we mean by a sequence. A sequence is a set of numbers (usually in a Fibonacci or modified Fibonacci series) that represent Story Points. The most common sequences used in Planning Poker are:

1. Fibonacci Sequence: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21..
2.

Modified Fibonacci Sequence: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8.
3. T-Shirt Sizes: XS (extra small), S (small), M (medium), L (large), XL (extra large)

Now let’s discuss which sequence is most appropriate for usage in Planning Poker Estimation for Story Points.

The Fibonacci Sequence:

The Fibonacci Sequence is the most commonly used sequence in Planning Poker Estimation. It was first introduced by Agile Coach Mike Cohn in his book “Agile Estimating and Planning”. The reason this sequence works well is that it reflects the fact that larger user stories tend to have more uncertainty and risk associated with them than smaller stories.

PRO TIP:When it comes to planning poker estimation for story points, the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…) is generally the most appropriate to use. This sequence allows for more granular estimations while preventing extremely large numbers from being used. It also reflects the fact that the complexity of tasks increase exponentially as their size increases.

The Modified Fibonacci Sequence:

The Modified Fibonacci Sequence is similar to the Fibonacci Sequence but includes smaller numbers like 0.5 and 1 to allow for finer-grained estimations of smaller user stories. This sequence can be useful if your team deals with many small user stories.

T-Shirt Sizes:

T-Shirt Sizes are not technically a sequence but rather a scale that represents Story Points in terms of T-Shirt sizes. This sequence is useful when working with non-technical stakeholders who may not understand the technical complexities of a user story.

So which sequence is most appropriate for your team? The answer depends on your team’s size, experience, and the types of user stories you are estimating. Here are some guidelines to consider:

– If your team is new to Planning Poker Estimation or has limited experience with Agile methodologies, it’s best to start with the Fibonacci Sequence. This sequence is easy to understand and provides a good balance between accuracy and simplicity.

– If your team deals with many small user stories, the Modified Fibonacci Sequence can be useful for more accurate estimations. – If you work with non-technical stakeholders or have difficulty explaining technical complexities, T-Shirt Sizes can be a great alternative.

In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the right sequence for Planning Poker Estimation. The most appropriate sequence depends on your team’s size, experience, and the types of user stories you are estimating. Whether you choose the Fibonacci Sequence, Modified Fibonacci Sequence, or T-Shirt Sizes, the key is to choose a sequence that works best for your team and helps you accurately estimate effort required for each user story.