Free Planning Poker Tool – How to Use

This Planning Poker tool helps Scrum teams estimate user stories collaboratively using the Fibonacci sequence.
No login, no registration, and works directly in your browser.

🔹 What You Need

  • A web browser (desktop or mobile)
  • A user story to estimate
  • A team to share the voting link with (via Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc.)

🔹 Supported Estimation Cards

The tool uses the following Fibonacci-based cards:

0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ☕ (Coffee)

  • ☕ Coffee means “I’m not ready / need discussion.”
  • Coffee votes are excluded from averages and calculations

🧑‍💼 For the Host (Scrum Master / Facilitator)

Step 1: Open the Planning Poker Page

Go to the Planning Poker page on the website ->> https://softwareandtesting.com/free-planning-poker)

Step 2: Create a New Voting Session

  1. Paste the user story into the text box
  2. Click Generate Link
  3. Two links will appear:
    • Voting Link → Share with your team
    • Host Link → Open the link in another browser tab (do not share)

⚠️ Important:

  • The Host Link gives you control to reveal votes
  • The Voting Link is only for team members to vote

Step 3: Share the Voting Link

  • Copy the Voting Link
  • Share it in Microsoft Teams / chat with your team

Step 4: Watch Votes Come In The Host Link(Hidden)

As team members vote:

  • You will see names appearing
  • You will only see who has voted
  • No vote values are visible yet

This keeps voting unbiased.

Step 5: Reveal Votes

Once everyone has voted:

  1. Click Reveal Cards
  2. You will now see:
    • Each person’s selected card
    • Lowest value highlighted
    • Highest value highlighted
    • Average estimate (rounded up, no decimals)

☕ Coffee votes are ignored in calculations.

Step 6: Start a New Vote (Next Story)

  1. Click Start New Vote
  2. Paste the next user story
  3. A new voting link is generated
  4. Team members do NOT need to re-enter their names

✔ Names are remembered automatically
✔ No page refresh required for participants

👥 For Team Members (Voters)

Step 1: Open the Voting Link

Click the link shared by the host.

Step 2: Enter Your Name

  • Enter your name (cannot be empty or spaces)
  • This is required only once
  • Your name is remembered for future votes

Step 3: Read the User Story

The user story will be displayed clearly on the screen.

Step 4: Select Your Estimate

  • Choose one card only
  • You can select: 0,1,2,3,5,8,13 or ☕
  • Click Submit Vote

✔ You can vote only once per story

Step 5: Wait for Reveal

After voting:

  • You will see a “Vote submitted” message
  • Wait for the host to reveal the cards

📊 How Results Are Calculated

  • Only numeric votes are used
  • ☕ Coffee votes are ignored
  • Average = rounded up (no decimals)
  • If multiple people chose the same min or max → all are highlighted

⏱ Session Rules & Privacy

  • Each voting session expires after 24 hours
  • After expiry:
    • All names and votes are deleted
    • Links stop working
  • No data is stored permanently
  • No login or account required

📱 Mobile & Accessibility

  • Fully usable on mobile devices
  • Designed for sharing via Microsoft Teams
  • Large buttons for easy tapping

✅ Best Practices for Scrum Teams

  • Ask team members to vote simultaneously
  • Discuss only after reveal
  • If estimates vary widely → discuss and re-vote
  • Use ☕ when the story is unclear

❓ Troubleshooting

Q: I can’t vote twice
A: This is expected — one vote per person per story.

Q: I entered the wrong estimate
A: Ask the host to start a new vote.

Q: Someone joined late
A: They can still vote until cards are revealed.

🎯 Summary

This Planning Poker tool enables:

  • Fast story estimation
  • Bias-free voting
  • Zero setup
  • No accounts
  • Clean, simple Scrum flow

Happy estimating! 🚀