Estimator

This is a quick-and-dirty tool for an alternative method of poker planning, usable by a distributed team.

Setup

docker run crossbario/crossbar from a VPS or server
Update config.js with the IP (default port 8080)
Run yarn build
Open build/index.html in a browser

Usage

Load this webpage in your favorite modern web browser. No webserver is required - it can be loaded straight off your filesystem if you like.

Create a new card by entering a story title in the textbox at the top of the screen.

Drag existing cards to whichever sizing you feel is appropriate.

Everyone who has this webpage open will see the same board. When a card is changed, it'll briefly flash to let you know that it was newly moved or created.

Method for Story Sizing

Phase 1 - Sizing

No discussion during the first phase of the sizing exercise.

All team members move cards around simultaneously. Each team member simply puts a card in the column they think it should be. If you disagree with its placement, just move it!

If a card moves around a lot (at least enough to turn red), move it to the '?' bucket.

Once the team stops moving cards around, proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2 - Resolve Questions

Discuss each card in the '?' bucket until the team understands enough to size the task. After discussion, sizing can be determined by whatever means you like - hidden voting (as in traditional poker planning) tends to work well for this.

Caveats

Because this was a small PoC effort, in its current incarnation there are some warnings and a few important missing features. Caveat emptor.

Cards can only be added or deleted - not edited.
There's only a single channel for all users. That means that there's no privacy or access control for the board.
- If you want your own private board, you'll need to run your own crossbar.io server, and edit config.js accordingly.

IMPORTANT - all state is saved in the clients' browsers! When the last person closes their browser, the contents of the table will be lost!