Agile Estimations with Estimation Matrix

Enhance your team’s estimation process with Team O'clock’s Estimation Matrix for more accurate, efficient, and aligned Planning Poker sessions.

Oct 7, 2024 · 2 min read

Interface - Estimation sentence unanswered

To get the most out of an estimation session, every team member needs to understand the task and agree on what each story point represents. These discussions should focus on breaking down tasks thoroughly.

However, not all team members will always remember how to vote accurately. Sometimes, they may rush or overlook certain factors, leading to inconsistent estimates.

Introducing the Estimation Matrix

Team O'clock added a new tool to Planning Poker: the Estimation Matrix. This tool helps align the team and improve the predictability of task estimates. It reminds members how to properly assign points by considering effort, complexity, and risks.

How It Works

Planning Poker interface with a sentence that needs to fill up to suggest values for story point cards. The sentence reads: To estimate the work for this task, I believe that the effort is -- the implementation complexity is -- and the risk is --.

The Estimation Matrix appears above the voting cards during the session. It provides a sentence with three open fields that each member fills out. Based on their selections, the system suggests story points that reflect the task’s requirements.

Key Concepts

A matrix mapping the 3 axis of Effort, Complexity, Risk to the Fibonacci numbers for planning poker

The Estimation Matrix uses Fibonacci numbers (like traditional Planning Poker). Here’s how we map values:

Effort: How much work is needed?
Complexity: How difficult is the task?
Risk: What are the unknowns?

If your team uses custom values, Team O'clock can map them to this system for consistency.

doesn’t change and is designed to make things work faster, more accurately, and for smaller tasks. If you need a more advanced version for your team, share your feedback.

Boost Your Team’s Agility

Team O'clock’s tools, including the Estimation Matrix, help teams stay agile and efficient. Try it during your next session! If you're new to Team O'clock, sign up for a free trial to see how it works!