Agile Planning Poker User Manual
Introduction
Welcome to Agile Planning Poker, a free and simple online tool designed to help Agile teams estimate tasks and plan their sprints collaboratively. No accounts, no complicated features—just a streamlined experience for Scrum teams of any size. This user guide will help you understand how to use the platform, create games, and collaborate with your team for effective sprint planning.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Features
- Getting Started
- Accessing the Platform
- Creating a Game
- Choosing a Voting System
- Joining a Game
- Running the Game
- Voting Process
- Revealing the Cards
- Results
- FAQs and Tips
1. Overview of Features
- No Account Required: Use Agile Planning Poker instantly—no sign-up or login required.
- Team-Based Voting: Ideal for remote or in-person Agile teams.
- Deck Selection: Choose between pre-set voting systems like the Fibonacci sequence.
- Link Sharing: Invite team members to join a game via a simple link.
- Results Transparency: After voting, all cards are revealed simultaneously to the team.
- Always Free: No hidden fees or paid tiers—enjoy unlimited access to all features.
2. Getting Started
Creating a Game
To create a new game:
- Click the Create Game button on the home screen.
- Enter a Game Name in the provided field (e.g., "Team Pons Sprint 1").
- Select a Voting System from the dropdown menu. Available options include:
- Fibonacci (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, ?)
- Click Create Game to proceed.
Choosing a Voting System
- Fibonacci Sequence: This is a widely used estimation system in Agile, where each number represents an exponential increase in effort or complexity.
- The deck cannot be customized, keeping the tool simple and focused.
3. Joining a Game
Once a game is created:
- A unique link is generated that the game creator can share with team members.
- Team members simply click the link to join the game—no accounts or sign-in required.
4. Running the Game
Voting Process
- The game creator or Scrum Master presents a user story or task to be estimated.
- Team members vote by selecting a card that represents their estimate.
- Once all participants have voted, their selections remain hidden until the reveal.
Revealing the Cards
After everyone has voted, all votes are displayed simultaneously, showing each participant's estimate.
5. Results
Once the cards are revealed:
- The team can discuss any discrepancies in the estimates.
- Based on the discussion, the team may decide to re-vote or agree on a consensus estimate.
6. FAQs and Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I customize the voting deck?
A: No, the deck is pre-set to prevent feature fatigue and keep the experience simple.
Q: How do I invite people to join a game?
A: After creating a game, simply share the unique link provided with your team members.
Q: Is this tool really free?
A: Yes, Agile Planning Poker is completely free for all users with no hidden costs or paid features.
Tips
- Use the Fibonacci sequence for most accurate task sizing in Agile.
- Ensure all team members vote before revealing the cards to encourage independent thinking.
- Discuss outliers thoroughly to arrive at a well-rounded consensus.
Thank you for using Agile Planning Poker! We hope this tool helps make your sprint planning more efficient and collaborative.