Planning Poker is a simple, team-based way to estimate work by combining shared understanding and quick consensus.
- Pick a backlog item (user story/task) to estimate.
- Review the details: goal, scope, and acceptance criteria. Ask clarifying questions.
- Choose your estimate privately using the agreed scale (commonly Fibonacci: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…).
- Reveal estimates at the same time so no one influences others.
- Discuss differences if estimates vary—especially the highest and lowest—to uncover risks, assumptions, or missing details.
- Refine the item if needed (clarify requirements, note assumptions, or split the work).
- Re-estimate and repeat until the team reaches a reasonable agreement.
- Move to the next item and keep going until you’ve estimated what you need.