Unveiling the Secrets of Story Points
From the shadowed depths of the Grimoire, a forgotten scroll emerges, its ancient script glimmering...
The Prophecy Unveiled
Listen closely, coven.
Within this grimoire, we shall illuminate the illusive art of Story Point Estimation. These are not mere numbers, but potent runes, imbued with the very essence of effort, the lifeblood that brings user stories into being. Yet, the path to their mastery is veiled in mystery, and not all who seek to wield their power truly understand their depths.
Time is an illlusion
The allure of using man-hours is strong, promising a comforting illusion of control in the unpredictable realm of software development. Your team, it seems, has succumbed to this temptation, seeking refuge in the apparent certainty of numbers. You yearn for a simple answer to satisfy management’s insatiable hunger for metrics.
But this path is fraught with hidden dangers.
The False Promise of Precision:
Man-hours create a deceptive veneer of accuracy, masking the inherent complexity of software development. While leaders may cling to these figures, demanding adherence to an artificial schedule, the reality is that such precision is an illusion. Unforeseen challenges, shifting requirements, and the very nature of creative work defy such rigid measurement.
The Weight of Expectations:
When story points become synonymous with hours, a heavy burden falls upon your developers. The pressure to meet these self-imposed deadlines can stifle innovation and lead to rushed, subpar work. Instead of focusing on crafting valuable software, they become trapped in a cycle of estimating, meeting quotas, and sacrificing quality in the process.
The Erosion of Value:
In this pursuit of temporal efficiency, the true heart of Agile – the delivery of value – is slowly eroded. The focus shifts from crafting impactful solutions to merely accounting for time spent. Features become mere line items on a timesheet, their worth measured in hours rather than the value they bring to users.
Resist the urge to surrender to the false comfort of man-hours. Instead, guide your team to navigate the complexities of software development with clarity and purpose. Remind them that story points represent effort, complexity, and risk – not merely time. Encourage them to embrace uncertainty, focus on delivering value, and resist the temptation to sacrifice quality for the sake of artificial deadlines.
What are story points, truly?
Story points are the whispers of the code, hints of the effort required to weave a digital spell. They reflect the complexity of the incantation, the potential for unforeseen mishaps, and the overall energy expenditure. Each scrum coven deciphers these whispers in their own way, their understanding deepening as they gain experience.
Why Embrace Story Points?
- Navigate the Unknown: Story points are like faint trails in a dense forest, guiding you through the project backlog and revealing the most impactful tasks to tackle first.
- Finding a Rhythm: They set a steady pace for each moon cycle (sprint), allowing the coven to work in harmony with their energies, avoiding burnout and maximizing their magical output.
- Measuring True Effort: Story points go beyond simple time estimations, providing a more accurate measure of the actual effort involved, acknowledging the unseen forces that influence a project’s flow.
Invoking the C.A.R.E incantation
To truly discern the essence of effort, we invoke the ancient CARE incantation:
(Complexity of the Deliverable) + (Amount of Work) + (Risk of Uncertainty) = Effort
This is a great foundational approach to covens struggling to demystify story points.
Time, that ethereal current, flows differently for each of us. One hour can feel like a fleeting heartbeat, another an eternity trapped in amber. We, as weavers of digital enchantments, must transcend the illusion of time and grasp the true essence of effort – the raw, magical exertion required to manifest our creations.
Imagine: a sleek jet streaks across the sky, carrying travelers from Singapore to KL in a single hour. Meanwhile, a lone figure traverses some distance by horseback, their journey also spanning a single hour. Yet, the pilot, a modern-day sorcerer of the skies, navigates a realm of intricate technology and unseen forces. Their mind dances with complex calculations, their senses attuned to a symphony of digital whispers and arcane symbols. Each decision carries a heavy weight, for a single misstep could disrupt the delicate balance of the aircraft, a metal bird defying gravity’s pull.
The horse rider, though skilled in their own right, navigates a more tangible realm. Their focus lies on the path ahead, their senses grounded in the earth and sky. They commune with their steed, a creature of power and instinct, weaving a spell of trust and understanding. Their journey is one of physical endurance and intimate connection with the natural world.
Though both journeys consume a single hour, the magical effort woven into each is vastly different. The pilot might assign this endeavor 8 story points, their aura shimmering with intense energy. The horse rider, perhaps a 3, their energy grounded and steady, a reflection of their bond with the land.
And just as a witch hones their craft through practice, so too does experience shape our perception of effort. The seasoned pilot, their instincts sharpened by countless flights through the clouds, might find their effort lessening to 5 story points. Yet, their capacity for magic remains vast, allowing them to undertake additional tasks – perhaps guiding a novice pilot or charting new courses through the celestial pathways. Similarly, the experienced rider, intimately familiar with the terrain, might in time reduce their effort to 2, leaving them with the capacity to commune with the spirits of the land or weave protective enchantments around their journey.
This, then, is the heart of effort – a measure of magical exertion, a reflection of the power and focus channeled into each creation, unbound by the fleeting passage of time.
Planning Poker: A Ritual of Divination
Planning Poker, a ritual veiled in mystique, allows your coven to collectively perceive and understand effort. Gather your circle – sorcerers, the Alchemist (PO), the Oracle (BA), the Enchanter (QA), the Lead Sorcerer (Dev lead) – all who contribute to the magical workings.
Each participant holds cards inscribed with runes, their values ranging from 1 to 8 (or even 13, for those who delve into the deepest mysteries). For newly formed covens, reveal user stories on a mystical scrying pool (or a laptop), their essence shimmering in the reflected light. On the count of three, each member reveals the rune they believe represents the effort required, their voices echoing with power. Discuss the reasoning behind each choice, seeking a shared understanding, a unified vision of the effort involved.
For established covens, this ritual serves to refine your understanding of story points, honing your collective perception. Display past user stories and have the coven assess their previous estimations. Discuss any discrepancies, gaining insights into how each member perceives effort, their individual perspectives blending into a harmonious whole.
A word of caution...
Often, tasks demand the combined efforts of multiple coven members. In such instances, the coven might be tempted to sum the individual efforts to determine the total story points. But beware! This path can lead to inflated estimations, distorting the true measure of effort. Instead, consider dividing the user story into smaller rituals, each with its own defined effort, to achieve a more accurate and balanced assessment.
Shadows of Doubt and the Bonds of Trust
The bond between the Agile coven and the Product Owner is forged in trust, a delicate balance of power and understanding. Often, tasks and stories presented by the Product Owner may appear deceptively simple, their surface masking hidden depths. “Transmute the button from crimson to azure,” they might proclaim, assigning it a mere 1 point. Yet, the sorcerers, burdened with the intricacies of the code, the hidden currents of the digital realm, might deem it a 3. Such discrepancies can breed mistrust, disrupting the harmony of the coven. Avoid this by fostering open communication, ensuring a shared understanding of effort, a transparency that illuminates the path ahead.
Periodically revisit the story points assigned to recurring tasks, for as your coven’s mastery grows, the effort required should diminish, your magic becoming ever more potent.
Ensure that all tasks and stories are assigned their rightful runes, so that their essence is accurately captured!