Product Development Series 024: PlanITPoker tool for Simplifying Agile Estimation for Product Development

In the fast-paced world of product development, accurate estimation is crucial for successful project planning. One tool that has gained popularity for facilitating this process is?PlanITPoker, a free online platform designed to make agile project estimation fun and efficient. Here's how PlanITPoker works and how it can be effectively used in product development.

What is PlanITPoker?

PlanITPoker is an online tool inspired by the Scrum planning poker technique, which helps teams estimate tasks collaboratively. It's built for remote development teams to collaborate easily on task estimations, bringing a refreshing dose of dynamism and gameplay to the project planning process.

Key Features of PlanITPoker

• Free to Use: PlanITPoker is completely free, making it accessible to teams of any size.
• Collaborative Estimation: Players vote on each task using cards without seeing other players' votes until all have voted.
• Customization: Allows customization of pointing scales and room settings.
• Jira Integration: Supports importing stories from Jira via XML or CSV files.
• Voting Statistics: Provides graphs and distribution features to analyze estimates and reach consensus.
• Mobile Compatibility: Can be used on smartphones, tablets, laptops, or PCs, offering flexibility for remote teams.

How to Use PlanITPoker in Product Development

1. Create a Room: Start by creating a virtual room where your team can gather for estimation sessions. You can invite teammates by sharing the room URL; no signup is required for guests.
2. Add Stories: Manually add user stories or import them from Jira. This step ensures that all relevant tasks are included in the estimation process.
3. Choose a Deck: Select a card deck that suits your team's estimation style, such as Fibonacci, Scrum, or T-Shirt sizes.
4. Estimate Tasks: Each team member votes on the task size using their chosen card. The voting is anonymous until all have voted, ensuring unbiased opinions.
5. Discuss and Consensus: After voting, the results are revealed, and the team discusses the estimates to reach a consensus. This discussion is crucial for understanding differing opinions and aligning team expectations.
6. Review Statistics: Use the voting statistics to analyze the distribution of estimates and refine future estimation sessions.

Benefits of Using PlanITPoker

• Promotes Team Engagement: Encourages active participation from all team members, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Improves Accuracy: By combining multiple perspectives, teams can achieve more accurate estimations.
• Enhances Collaboration: Facilitates open discussions and helps resolve misunderstandings early in the project lifecycle.
• Flexibility: Suitable for teams working remotely or in different time zones, thanks to its mobile compatibility.

Conclusion

PlanITPoker is a valuable tool for product development teams looking to streamline their estimation processes. Its free, intuitive interface makes it accessible to teams of all sizes, while its collaborative features ensure that everyone's voice is heard. Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, PlanITPoker can help you boost productivity and foster outstanding teamwork.

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