Magic Estimation

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Magic Estimation is a rapid estimation technique especially valuable for quickly estimating a large set of product backlog items. It is used e.g. in software development.

The advantages of Magic Estimation are the speed (because only non-verbal communication is allowed) and the subjectivity with which each team member is allowed to look at the process. The result gives the product owner a good overview of the level of complexity of the product backlog items and which the team still needs to work on so that they can be completed in a sprint.

Setting up your Magic Estimation Board in just a couple of minutes. You only need to

  • Add your Epics and User Stories to the Unestimated Backlog.

  • Add your Team Member's names to the Personal Backlog section.

  • (Optional) Add up-to-date Reference Stories.

Magic Estimation itself follows a simple plan

  1. Provide a brief overview of all the Epics for necessary context information to your team.

  2. Distribute all unestimated user stories randomly and equally among all team members.

  3. Each team member estimates "her/his user stories". Use reference stories for better alignment.

  4. Team members record estimates by adding them to a user story.

  5. Once a team member has estimated "her/his user stories", she/he starts working through all the other estimated ones and reestimates them if necessary.

  6. If the momentum slows down or just the same user stories are being pushed back and forth, talk about them in detail and agree on an estimate.

  7. Sum up your estimates for each user story size box and in total.

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Stephan Zimmermann image
Stephan Zimmermann
Agile Coach / Scrum Master@Qudosoft
Stephan currently works as an Agile Coach and Scrum Master at Qudosoft supporting teams to master their demanding tasks by promoting communication, supporting personal development and improving collaboration. Together with the teams he strives for self-organisation and high performace. Stephan is always looking for new ideas and impulses for his work.

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