Discuss BCS CTFL4 Exam Topic 1 Question 19

Consider an estimation session in which a six-member Agile team (Memb1..... Memb6) uses the planning poker technique to estimate a user story (in story points). The team members will use a set of cards with the following values: 1,2, 3,5, 8,13,21. Below is the outcome of the first round of estimation for this session:

Which of the following answers BEST describes how the estimation session should proceed?

AThe final estimate of the user story in story points is determined by applying the three-point estimation technique with the following input values most optimistic estimate - 1, most likely estimate - 3, and most pessimistic estimate - 21

BFurther estimation rounds should be performed until all team members will pick the card having the same value: this value will represent the final estimate of the user story in story points.

CThe final estimate of the user story in story points is determined by calculating the average value between the most optimistic estimate of 21 story points (Memb4> and the most pessimistic estimate of 1 story point (Memb6)

DMemb6 and Memb4 which have produced the most pessimistic and the most optimistic estimates respectively, should explain the reasons of their choices to stimulate a discussion between all members before proceeding to another estimation round

Suggested Answer: D

In Agile teams using the planning poker technique for estimating user stories, it is common practice to have further discussions and rounds of estimation if there is a significant discrepancy in the initial estimates. This helps in reaching a consensus and ensures that all team members understand the complexity and requirements of the user story. According to the ISTQB CTFL syllabus, planning poker involves discussions to clarify differences in estimates, especially when there is a wide range of values selected. By having Memb6 and Memb4, who provided the most pessimistic and optimistic estimates, explain their reasoning, it fosters a deeper understanding and encourages the team to converge towards a more accurate and agreed-upon estimate.

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33 comments · newest first

Lucy 11 months ago

The cards used are 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21.

Ceola 11 months ago

I agree with Bob, we need to talk it out first!

Derick 12 months ago

Wait, why would we average 21 and 1? That seems off.

Marylin 12 months ago

Not sure about that, D sounds better for discussion.

Dianne 1 year ago

I think option B makes the most sense!

Margurite 1 year ago

I thought averaging estimates was a common method, but now I'm questioning if that's really what we should do here.

Bettye 1 year ago

I feel like we practiced a question similar to this where discussing estimates was key, so option D might be the best approach.

Reynalda 1 year ago

I'm not entirely sure, but I think the three-point estimation technique mentioned in option A is more for different contexts, right?

Erick 1 year ago

I remember we discussed that in planning poker, it's important to reach a consensus, so option B sounds familiar.

Reita 1 year ago

I'm a bit stumped here. The options all seem plausible, but I'm not sure which one is the best. Maybe we should discuss it as a team before deciding.

Talia 1 year ago

I'm not sure about this one. The three-point estimation technique in Option A seems like it could work, but I'm not sure if that's the best approach for this scenario.

Frederic 1 year ago

Okay, I'm feeling pretty confident about this one. I think Option B is the way to go - we should keep doing estimation rounds until everyone agrees on a single value.

Dierdre 1 year ago

Hmm, I think I have an idea. Option D sounds like the best approach - we should get Memb6 and Memb4 to explain their reasoning, then have a discussion to try and reach a consensus.

Mabel 1 year ago

I'm a bit confused here. The question seems to be asking about the best way to proceed with the estimation session, but the options don't seem straightforward to me.

Hollis 2 years ago

I'm not sure, but I think option A could also be a valid approach. Using the three-point estimation technique might provide a more balanced estimate.

Viola 2 years ago

This is why we use planning poker - to avoid one person skewing the entire estimate. Let's keep talking it through until we reach a consensus.

Margart 2 years ago

↳ replying to Viola

Let's listen to their explanations and see if it changes our estimates.

Azalee 2 years ago

↳ replying to Viola

Maybe they have different perspectives that we haven't considered yet.

Callie 2 years ago

↳ replying to Viola

I agree, we need to understand their reasoning before moving forward.

Kindra 2 years ago

↳ replying to Viola

Let's discuss why Memb6 and Memb4 chose such extreme estimates.

Trina 2 years ago

Memb6 must have been daydreaming when they chose 1 story point. I bet they were thinking about their weekend plans instead of the task at hand!

Lenora 2 years ago

↳ replying to Trina

Memb1: Let's hear from Memb6 and Memb4 before we proceed with the next round.

Benton 2 years ago

↳ replying to Trina

Memb2: Maybe we should consider the average of our estimates for a more balanced approach.

Isidra 2 years ago

↳ replying to Trina

Memb4: I was optimistic with my estimate, but let's discuss before the next round.

Ming 2 years ago

↳ replying to Trina

Memb6: Oops, I might have underestimated the story points.

Lashonda 2 years ago

I agree with Pamela. It's crucial to have a discussion and gain insights from Memb6 and Memb4 before moving forward.

Laila 2 years ago

Totally agree. We need to understand each other's perspectives before settling on a final estimate. Discussing the reasoning behind the outliers is the way to go.

Kathrine 2 years ago

I think the team should keep going with the planning poker until we all agree on a number. Averaging the extremes doesn't seem right to me.

Von 2 years ago

↳ replying to Kathrine

I agree, it's important to have a discussion before finalizing the estimate.

Lourdes 2 years ago

↳ replying to Kathrine

Let's discuss the reasons behind their estimates before moving on.

Eric 2 years ago

↳ replying to Kathrine

I think we should listen to Memb6 and Memb4's reasoning first.

Justine 2 years ago

↳ replying to Kathrine

I agree, we should continue with more rounds of estimation.

Pamela 2 years ago

I think we should go with option D. It's important to understand the reasoning behind the extreme estimates.

BCS CTFL4 Exam - Topic 1 Question 19 Discussion