What is estimation?
Estimations in agile are a crucial part of the development process, as they help teams plan and prioritize their work.
- Start by defining the scope of the work. This includes identifying the user stories or tasks that need to be completed, and breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Next, hold a planning meeting with the team. During this meeting, each team member should provide an estimate for time they believe it will take to complete each task. These estimates should be based on the team member’s individual experience and expertise.
- Once all estimates have been gathered, the team should review and discuss them. This is a good opportunity to identify any potential issues or risks that may impact the estimates.
- After the review and discussion, the team should come to a consensus on the final estimates for each task. These estimates should be used to create a realistic development schedule and to help the team prioritize their work.
- As the development progresses, the team should regularly review and update their estimates. This will help them stay on track and ensure that they are able to deliver the project on time.
- Finally, it is important to keep in mind that estimations are not always precise, it is an approximation and should be treated as such. Agile methodologies are all about flexibility, and the team should be prepared to adjust their plans as needed based on new information or changes in the project.
It’s also important to note that in Agile methodologies like Scrum, estimations are done in story points which is more relative measure of complexity and not an absolute measure of time.
In summary, estimations in agile are a collaborative process that helps teams plan and prioritize their work, and it’s important to remember that they are not always precise, but are based on the team’s best understanding of the work at hand.
What are the methods of estimation in agile?
There are several methods of estimation in agile that teams can use to plan and prioritize their work. Some of the most popular methods include:
- Planning Poker: This is a popular method of estimation in which team members use cards with numbers on them to indicate their estimate for a task. Each team member privately selects a card representing their estimate, and then the team discusses and compares their estimates. This method helps to reduce bias and ensure that the team comes to a consensus on the final estimate.
- T-Shirt Sizing: This method involves using simple labels, such as “small”, “medium”, and “large” to describe the size and complexity of a task. This method is quick and easy to use and is a good option for teams that are new to estimation.
- Expert Judgment: In this method, a subject matter expert provides an estimate for a task based on their knowledge and experience. This method can be useful when a team member has specialized knowledge or experience that is required to accurately estimate a task.
- Three-Point Estimation: In this method, team members provide three estimates for a task: a best-case scenario, a most likely scenario, and a worst-case scenario. This method helps to account for uncertainty and provides a range of estimates that the team can use to plan and prioritize their work.
- Function Points: This method of estimation is used to quantify the functionality provided by a software system. Function points are a measure of the number of inputs, outputs, and logical processes in a software system. This method can be useful for teams that are working on larger, more complex projects.
- Story Points: This method of estimation is used in Scrum; it is a relative measure of complexity and not an absolute measure of time. The team assigns story points to each user story based on their complexity, effort, and uncertainty. This method helps to prioritize the work and make better decisions when it comes to planning and scheduling.
In summary, there are several methods of estimation in agile that teams can use to plan and prioritize their work. The best method for a team will depend on their specific needs and the nature of the project. It is important to note that teams should always be willing to adjust their estimation methods as needed, based on their experience and the changing needs of the project.