Mike Cohn Agile Planning Poker

A 30-minute Mike Cohn planning poker routine for software teams sizing backlog items with Fibonacci point cards. Clear requirements, reveal cards simultaneously, and resolve estimate gaps.

6 time blocks, 30 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Backlog Item Reading: 5 min
Read the story summary and acceptance criteria aloud
Requirement Clarification: 5 min
Ask the product owner about edge cases and assumptions
Private Card Selection: 3 min
Pick a Fibonacci card silently without cross talk
Simultaneous Card Reveal: 2 min
Flip cards together so no one influences another
Outlier Discussion: 10 min
Hear from the highest and lowest estimators first
Re-Vote and Score Capture: 5 min
Repeat card selection until the team converges

About this routine

The Mike Cohn planning poker routine uses relative sizing to help software teams estimate work without individual anchoring bias. First described in his 2005 book Agile Estimating and Planning, this technique replaces arbitrary hour guesses with a modified Fibonacci sequence of point cards.

The process begins with the product owner presenting a single user story and reading its acceptance criteria. Team members ask brief clarifying questions to ensure everyone understands the scope. Each estimator then picks a card from their deck in complete silence, ensuring nobody influences anyone else before the reveal.

When all cards flip at once, divergent scores immediately point out hidden complexity or differing assumptions. The highest and lowest estimators explain their reasoning, giving the team fresh perspective. The group then re-votes until numbers converge into a single agreed score.

Why this routine works

Prevents anchoring bias by keeping card choices secret until simultaneous reveal
Surfaces hidden technical complexity through outlier discussions
Builds team consensus on effort using a shared Fibonacci scale

FAQ

What is Mike Cohn planning poker?

Planning poker is an agile estimation technique popularized by Mike Cohn in 2005. Team members use Fibonacci-numbered cards to estimate effort simultaneously, avoiding individual bias.

How long does a planning poker session take?

A standard story estimation cycle takes about 30 minutes for a small batch of backlog items, spending 5 to 10 minutes per user story.

Why are cards revealed at the same time?

Simultaneous reveals prevent team members from being influenced by senior developers or vocal leaders, ensuring honest relative estimates.

Sources

Agile Estimating and Planning, Mike Cohn (Prentice Hall, 2005)
Planning Poker, Mountain Goat Software

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