The document describes a story sizing technique called Planning Poker that involves: 1) Placing user stories on a wall from least to most effort; 2) Selecting a representative "average" story; and 3) Continually positioning other stories relative to the average in increments of 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 to estimate their relative effort.

1. Story sizing – an alternative to
planning poker
@RustyTheSnowman
TheAgileBA.blogspot.com

2. 1. Gather all candidate stories for the
sprint

3. 2. Pick one that is of ‘average’ effort and
stick it in the middle of the wall
Average story

4. 3. Take another story, place it to the left if
it’s less effort, right if it’s more
Average story
Next story needs
more effort

5. 4. Continue to place stories on wall with least
effort on the left and most on the right
Least Most
effort effort
Stories needing
the same amount
of effort

6. 5. Find a story that is a ‘1-pointer’ and put a
sticky note above to indicate it
1
NB. If you don’t already know what a ‘1-pointer’ is, make
it the story on the far left. Remember this story as your
base for next time

7. 6. Move right until you reach a story that is double
the effort of your 1-pointer. Label it with a ‘2’
1 2

8. 7. Move right until you reach a story that is about
the effort of a ‘1’ and ‘2’ combined - label it with a
‘3’. Continue…
1 2 3 5 8

9. 8. Anything below the ‘1’ can be regarded as a
half
0.5
1 2 3 5 8

10. 9. Done!
0.5
1 2 3 5 8