Agile Estimation Guide
Fibonacci Story Point Estimation
Fibonacci sequences reflect increasing uncertainty as work grows larger — a natural fit for agile story point estimation.
The Fibonacci scale (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34…) is the most common deck in planning poker. Larger gaps at higher numbers discourage false precision and push teams to break down oversized stories.
Common Fibonacci cards in planning poker
PlanITPoker uses 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and 34 plus question (?) and coffee break cards. Question means the story needs clarification; coffee means the participant needs a short break.
When to pick a higher Fibonacci number
- Unknown dependencies or integration risk
- Stories spanning multiple components or teams
- Missing acceptance criteria or unclear scope
If estimates consistently land on 13 or above, consider splitting the story before committing it to a sprint.
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