Fibonacci Estimation

An essential agile technique for teams to collaboratively estimate work complexity using a Fibonacci-like sequence. This automated template streamlines the entire estimation process with intuitive voting, automated assignment, and clear organization.

What Is Fibonacci Estimation?

Fibonacci Estimation (also called Planning Poker) is a consensus-based technique where development teams assign relative effort or complexity values to work items using a modified Fibonacci sequence (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 100). Unlike traditional time-based estimation, this approach focuses on relative sizing, helping teams quickly identify and discuss items with varying complexity perceptions.

The power of Fibonacci estimation comes from its non-linear scaling - as numbers increase, the gaps between them widen, reflecting the inherent uncertainty in estimating larger tasks.

Benefits & When to Use

  • Reduces anchoring bias by having all team members reveal their estimates simultaneously
  • Encourages discussion when estimates differ, often surfacing misunderstandings or hidden complexities
  • Creates consistency in how your team evaluates work effort across sprints
  • Provides data points for future sprint planning and capacity discussions
  • Ideal for sizing product backlog items, user stories, and sprint planning sessions

Use Fibonacci Estimation at the beginning of sprint planning or during backlog refinement meetings to ensure shared understanding of upcoming work.

How to Run a Fibonacci Estimation Session

  1. Stage your tickets (10 min)

    • Import your tickets from Jira or CSV into the Ticket Funnel
    • Optionally prioritize them with highest-priority items at the bottom right

  2. Prepare for estimation (5 min)

    • Click the "Focus View" button to center the active discussion area
    • Select the first ticket from the funnel and move it to the "Discussing" zone

  3. Discuss and estimate each ticket (5-10 min per ticket)

    • Present the ticket to the team and clarify any questions
    • Each team member secretly selects a number from the Fibonacci sequence (0-100)
    • Use the reveal button to show all estimates simultaneously
    • If estimates vary widely, discuss the differences to understand varying perspectives

  4. Finalize and move on (1 min per ticket)

    • Once consensus is reached, click "Next" to automatically:
      • Assign the point value to the ticket
      • Move the ticket to its corresponding lane
      • Bring in the next ticket for estimation

  5. Export your results (optional)

    • When all tickets are estimated, use the Export button to download the estimation data
    • Results can be imported back into your project management system

Tips for a Successful Session

  • Keep discussions focused: When estimates differ, encourage brief explanations rather than extended debates
  • Remember the scale meaning: Lower numbers (1-3) represent simple tasks, while higher numbers (13-20) indicate complex work
  • Use extremes purposefully: A "0" means trivial work requiring minimal effort, while "100" suggests the item is too large and should be broken down
  • Recalibrate occasionally: If you find your team consistently underestimating, spend time reviewing a few reference stories
  • Use the CTRL+Z shortcut: If you accidentally press "Next" and move on, you can undo this action with CTRL+Z

With this streamlined Fibonacci Estimation template, your team can quickly reach consensus on story points while maintaining a clear record of estimated items for sprint planning and capacity management.

Use this template