This simple yet powerful collaboration tool for teams aids in estimating through dialog and discussion. It is the most well-used technique for agile teams around the world.

1. Agile
Estimation Game
PAUL HEIDEMA

2. 1. Understand the Agile Estimation Game
2. Understand how to estimate value of work
3. Experience estimating effort of work
4.Ability to use this tool tomorrow!
LEARNING OUTCOMES

3. PAUL HEIDEMA
10+Years in Web Development
6+Years of Agile experience
Certified Scrum Professional
Certified Master of OpenAgile
Coach,Trainer, Consultant
Vegan Enthusiast
High-Energy Guy

4. ATYOUR COMPANY,
DOESYOUR ESTIMATION
METHOD WORK?
2 MIN
Discuss in pairs or triads

5. THIS COLLABORATIONTOOL
ROCKS!

6. THE HANDOUT
This is your backlog of work to be done
The Agile Estimation Game
by Paul Heidema
Product Backlog for 3 Little Pigs Comic Book
Effort Estimate?
1 As a CHILD I can see the cover page so that we sell more comics
2 As a PARENT I can read the H1N1 PSA so that my child is healthy
3 As a CHILD I can see the wolf dying so that I am happy
4 As a PARENT I can read the moral of the story to my child so that my child is wise
5 As a CHILD I can see the 3rd pig building his house of bricks so that I enjoy the story
6 As a CHILD I can see the 3 pigs leaving mama's house so that I enjoy the story
7 As a PARENT I can read about the 3rd pig learning to build at Home Depot so that I want to buy
building supplies there
8 As a CHILD I can see the wolf failing to blow down the 3rd house so that I enjoy the story
9 Mayor of Piggytown gives award to 3rd pig

7. THE TEAM
The people at your table
are the team.
Agile estimation is done by the team
that does the work.

8. EFFORT
In this exercise, we are only focusing
on estimating the effort to do the
work.

9. GOAL
The objective is to practice
estimating effort as a team.

10. DEFINITION OF
“DONE-DONE”
This is a list of things that need to be
built-in for the comic book.

11. INSTRUCTIONS

12. Need a volunteer from each team
now to be the Product Owner.

13. All participants get one set of
planning game cards
(except Product Owner).

14. Choose the smallest effort item
and give it 2 points.
This is your baseline.

15. Start at Product Backlog item #1.

16. 1. Product Owner reads an item.
Lightly discuss.

17. 2. Vote secretly, then share
numbers together.

18. 3. The individuals with the highest and
lowest number make
short statements.

19. 4. If required, the Product Owner
quickly clarifies assumptions.

20. 5. Repeat steps 2-4 until you
achieve unity.
(All vote with the same number.)

21. Steps of the Agile Estimation Game
Choose the smallest effort item and give it 2 points (baseline).
Start at Product Backlog item #1.
1. Product Owner reads the item. Lightly discuss.
2. Vote secretly, then share numbers together.
3.The individuals (only 2) with highest and lowest
number make short statements.
4. If needed, Product Owner clarifies.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until you achieve unity. 25 MIN

22. DEBRIEF
10 MIN
Whole group discussion

23. THANK YOU!
Paul Heidema
Transformation Coach, ScrumTrainer,Agile Consultant
mobile: 905-392-2560
ca.linkedin.com/in/paulheidema