planningpoker

How to Run a Planning Poker Session

A good planning poker session is short, structured, and easy for everyone to join. Use this repeatable format to move from a story to a shared estimate without turning the meeting into a debate.

Updated 2026-09-20 · Free, no account required

Create a planning poker room

1. Prepare the story

Give the team a small, concrete story with acceptance criteria. Invite questions before anyone selects a card. If the story is too large to estimate confidently, split it first.

2. Start the round

Open a room and share the room link or ID. Read the story, set a timer when useful, and ask everyone to choose the card that represents the effort and uncertainty they see.

3. Reveal and discuss

Reveal the cards at the same time. Ask the highest and lowest estimators to explain their assumptions, then resolve missing information. Avoid averaging away a meaningful disagreement.

4. Record and move on

Choose the estimate the team can support, capture any follow-up questions, and start the next story. A visible round history makes later planning conversations easier to audit.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a round take?

Most focused rounds take a few minutes. Use a timer as a prompt to capture an unresolved question rather than forcing an estimate.

Who facilitates?

Anyone can facilitate. The facilitator keeps the story clear, starts the reveal, and makes sure every participant has space to explain an assumption.