Estimating the effort required to complete tasks is one of the most challenging parts of software development. That’s why many Agile teams use Scrum Poker, also known as Planning Poker, to make estimation more collaborative, accurate, and fun.
Scrum Poker is a consensus-based technique used during sprint planning to estimate the complexity or effort of user stories. It encourages team discussion and avoids biases that can happen with traditional estimation methods.
What is Scrum Poker?
Scrum Poker is a gamified estimation process where team members assign a numerical value to each user story using playing cards with predefined values. These values often follow the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…), which reflects increasing uncertainty with larger tasks.
Scrum Poker is typically done during Sprint Planning or Backlog Refinement sessions.
How Scrum Poker Works
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A user story is presented by the Product Owner, including all relevant details and acceptance criteria.
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Team members discuss the story briefly to clarify any doubts.
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Each participant selects a card privately that represents their estimate.
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Everyone reveals their cards at the same time.
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If estimates vary significantly, the team discusses the reasons behind their choices.
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The process is repeated until a consensus is reached.
Why Use Scrum Poker?
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Reduces anchoring bias (people are less likely to copy others’ estimates)
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Encourages team discussion and shared understanding
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Highlights hidden assumptions or technical challenges
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Improves estimate accuracy over time
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Engages the whole team in decision-making
Scrum Poker is especially effective when multiple developers are working on a story, or when requirements are complex or vague.
Tools for Scrum Poker
While some teams use physical cards in co-located environments, many use digital tools for remote or hybrid teams:
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PlanningPoker.com
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ScrumPoker Online
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Miro or Mural boards
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JIRA plugins like Agile Poker for Jira
Best Practices
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Use Fibonacci numbers to reflect uncertainty
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Keep discussions short and focused
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Avoid “designing the solution” during estimation
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Revisit estimates only if requirements change
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Use “?” for stories that need more refinement
Final Thoughts
Scrum Poker is more than just a game—it’s a powerful Agile estimation technique that promotes collaboration, clarity, and better sprint planning. By giving every team member a voice, it ensures more balanced estimates and helps teams deliver work that’s realistically planned and well understood.
If your team struggles with estimation, give Planning Poker a try—it might be the tool you’ve been missing.
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