Intro
Planning poker, a powerful agile estimation technique, is widely used to make story point estimation easier, especially in software development. Many teams rely on Jira for project management and wonder if they can conduct planning poker directly within Jira. Fortunately, the answer is yes, and there are a few excellent options for incorporating planning poker in Jira, including planning poker for Jira and async poker Jira tools. This guide will take you through how these tools work, their benefits, and how to get started with planning poker in Jira.
What is Planning Poker and Why Use It?
1. Understanding Planning Poker for Agile Estimation
Planning poker is a consensus-based technique used by agile teams to estimate the effort required to complete each task in a project. This method involves assigning story points to tasks or user stories, which helps teams gauge the workload and prioritize effectively.
Planning poker is beneficial because:
- It reduces the influence of dominant personalities.
- It encourages collaboration and discussion.
- It leads to more accurate estimations by leveraging team input.
In Jira, planning poker becomes even more effective because it can be seamlessly integrated into the agile workflow, aligning tasks with the rest of the project management tools.
2. How Does Planning Poker Work?
Planning poker typically involves the following steps:
- The moderator selects a user story or task for estimation.
- Each participant privately selects a number (story points) they believe represents the effort required.
- The moderator reveals all estimates, and the team discusses any major discrepancies.
- The process continues until a consensus is reached, and the team moves on to the next task.
For remote teams, async poker Jira options allow this process to happen asynchronously, meaning team members can participate and submit estimates at their convenience.
Is There Planning Poker in Jira?
1. Planning Poker for Jira: Built-In and Add-On Options
While Jira does not come with built-in planning poker, it has various add-ons that make integrating planning poker easy and seamless. These tools can be found on the Atlassian Marketplace and are designed specifically for agile estimation.
Some popular planning poker for Jira add-ons include:
- Planning Poker for Jira by Spartez Software
- Async Poker for Jira by Lizard Brain
- Poker Planning for Jira by Digital Toucan
These add-ons are fully compatible with Jira and offer both synchronous and asynchronous options to suit different team workflows.
2. Async Poker Jira: Estimation for Remote Teams
With remote work becoming more common, async poker Jira tools are becoming popular for distributed teams. Async poker enables team members to participate in the estimation process independently of each other’s schedules. This is particularly useful when working across time zones or when team members have varying availability.
With async poker, participants receive notifications or prompts to submit their estimates and comments on tasks at their convenience. The estimates are then collected, and the team can review them in a synchronous session if needed or proceed with the average estimates.
Getting Started with Planning Poker in Jira
1. Installing a Planning Poker Add-On in Jira
To start using planning poker in Jira, you’ll need to install an add-on. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Go to the Atlassian Marketplace in Jira.
- Search for “Planning Poker” or “Async Poker.”
- Select an add-on that fits your needs, such as Planning Poker for Jira by Spartez.
- Click on Try it free or Get it now to install the add-on.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Once installed, the planning poker tool will integrate with your Jira board, allowing you to start using it for agile estimation right away.
2. Configuring Planning Poker for Jira
After installation, you can configure the planning poker tool based on your team’s preferences. Some options you may find include:
- Choosing point scales (e.g., Fibonacci, T-shirt sizing)
- Setting permissions for who can participate
- Enabling async or live poker sessions based on team requirements
3. How to Use Planning Poker in Jira
- Create a session: Start by creating a new planning poker session in your Jira board. Select the stories or tasks that need estimation.
- Invite team members: Add team members to the session to allow them to participate in the estimation process.
- Begin estimation: Each participant will select their estimate, and the tool will reveal all estimates once everyone has chosen. For async poker, participants submit estimates independently, and results are shared afterward.
- Discuss and finalize: Review any major discrepancies, discuss, and arrive at a consensus for each task’s story points.
Benefits of Using Planning Poker for Jira
1. Improved Accuracy in Estimates
Using planning poker for Jira allows teams to generate more accurate estimates by involving multiple perspectives. The collaborative nature of the process ensures that the team considers all aspects of a task before finalizing the estimate.
2. Increased Engagement and Collaboration
With tools like async poker Jira, remote teams can participate in estimation sessions more easily, increasing engagement. Team members can join the estimation process when convenient, leading to a more inclusive approach.
3. Seamless Integration with Agile Workflow
Planning poker for Jira integrates directly into the agile workflow, making it easy to assign story points and prioritize tasks. Once estimates are finalized, they become part of the project’s task data, visible to everyone on the team.
4. Enhanced Flexibility for Distributed Teams
The async poker feature in Jira is particularly beneficial for distributed teams. By allowing estimations to occur asynchronously, team members don’t need to be present in the same session, reducing scheduling conflicts and improving productivity.
Best Practices for Using Planning Poker in Jira
1. Choose the Right Estimation Scale
Selecting the correct scale is crucial for accurate estimates. The Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.) is popular for agile teams, as it represents increasing effort more accurately. Choose the scale that best suits your project and team.
2. Establish Clear Criteria for Story Points
Ensure the team has a shared understanding of what each point value represents. This consistency will lead to more accurate estimations and reduce discrepancies during sessions.
3. Encourage Participation and Open Discussion
Effective planning poker requires input from everyone on the team. Encourage each team member to contribute their perspective, as this leads to more well-rounded estimates.
4. Utilize Async Poker for Remote and Distributed Teams
For distributed teams, async poker tools in Jira provide the flexibility needed for effective estimation without scheduling conflicts. Team members can participate when convenient, making it easier to collect estimates across time zones.
Conclusion
Planning poker is an invaluable tool for agile estimation, and with the right add-ons, you can easily integrate it into your Jira workflow. Whether your team is co-located or distributed, tools like planning poker for Jira and async poker Jira provide a collaborative, efficient way to estimate tasks and assign story points accurately. By following best practices and leveraging these powerful tools, you can enhance your agile process, boost team collaboration, and make your project planning smoother and more precise.
Incorporate planning poker into your Jira setup today to make your agile workflow more effective, and watch your team’s productivity soar!
