Agile estimation is the process of estimating the size, effort, or duration of work items or tasks within an Agile project. Estimation in Agile is typically done collaboratively by the development team and is used to plan and prioritize work, allocate resources, and make decisions about the scope and schedule of the project. Here are some key aspects of Agile estimation:
- Relative Estimation: Agile teams often use relative estimation techniques, such as story points or t-shirt sizing, rather than absolute units of time (e.g., hours or days). Relative estimation focuses on comparing the size or complexity of one work item to another, rather than trying to predict the exact amount of time it will take to complete.
- Story Points: Story points are a common unit of estimation used in Agile projects. They represent the relative size or complexity of user stories or tasks, with higher story points indicating greater complexity. Story points are typically assigned to user stories during Sprint Planning based on the development team’s collective understanding of the work involved.
- Planning Poker: Planning Poker is a popular estimation technique used by Agile teams to achieve consensus on the size or effort required for user stories or tasks. Team members individually estimate the size of a user story using story points, and then discuss their estimates as a group. This process continues until a consensus is reached.
- Fibonacci Sequence: Story points are often assigned using a Fibonacci sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc.) to reflect the inherent uncertainty and variability in estimating work. This sequence emphasizes the increasing uncertainty and risk associated with larger work items.
- Velocity: Velocity is a measure of the amount of work a team can complete in a Sprint, based on past performance. It is calculated by summing the story points completed in each Sprint over several iterations and averaging them. Velocity is used to forecast how much work a team can accomplish in future Sprints and to adjust the Sprint backlog accordingly.
- Bucket Estimation: In addition to estimating individual user stories, Agile teams may also use bucket estimation techniques to estimate groups of similar items or epics. This allows teams to quickly estimate large numbers of items without getting bogged down in excessive detail.
- Refinement and Adaptation: Agile estimation is an iterative process that evolves over time as the team gains a better understanding of the project and its requirements. Estimations may be refined and adjusted based on new information, feedback, or changes in scope.
Overall, Agile estimation is a collaborative and adaptive process that helps Agile teams plan and prioritize their work effectively, manage uncertainty, and make informed decisions about the scope and schedule of their projects.