What is Planning Game?
Welcome to another installment of our DEFINITIONS series, where we explore various concepts related to software development. Today, we will be diving into the topic of the Planning Game. So, what exactly is the Planning Game and how does it impact the development process? Let’s find out!
Understanding the Planning Game
The Planning Game is a collaborative technique used in Agile software development. It involves the active participation of the product owner and the development team to efficiently plan and prioritize the work that needs to be done during an iteration or sprint.
During the Planning Game, the team and the product owner engage in a series of discussions to determine the goals, objectives, and priorities for the upcoming iteration. This process helps in defining a clear direction for the development efforts and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaborative approach: The Planning Game involves the product owner and the development team working together to plan and prioritize work.
- Iterative planning: The game is played before every iteration, allowing for continuous adaptation and improvement.
The Rules of the Planning Game
Now that we have an understanding of the essence of the Planning Game, let’s take a closer look at how it is typically played:
- Product Backlog: The product owner maintains a prioritized list of user stories, features, and enhancements in the product backlog.
- Iteration Planning Meeting: At the start of each iteration, the product owner and the development team come together for a planning meeting. Here, they review the backlog, discuss objectives, and decide on the work to be completed in the upcoming iteration.
- User Stories: The product owner presents user stories from the backlog and describes the desired functionality or outcome.
- Estimation: The development team estimates the effort needed to complete each user story, typically using story points or other relative sizing techniques.
- Prioritization: After estimating, the team and the product owner collaboratively prioritize the user stories based on business value, dependencies, and available resources.
- Iteration Plan: Once the highest-priority user stories are selected, the team creates an iteration plan that defines the work to be completed, including any necessary tasks, testing, and refinement.
- Tracking Progress: Throughout the iteration, the team tracks the progress of the work, adjusting and adapting as needed to meet the iteration goals.
Conclusion
The Planning Game is a fundamental part of Agile software development that facilitates effective planning, collaboration, and adaptability. By actively involving the product owner and the development team, it ensures that everyone is aligned with the project’s objectives and priorities. Remember that the game is played iteratively, allowing continuous improvement and adjustment as the project progresses.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaborative approach: The Planning Game involves the product owner and the development team working together to plan and prioritize work.
- Iterative planning: The game is played before every iteration, allowing for continuous adaptation and improvement.
