Affinity Estimation
Affinity Estimation is a collaborative, qualitative technique used in agile and product development to quickly group and size user stories, features, or tasks based on similarity and relative effort. It involves team members silently grouping items on a wall or board into categories of comparable size (e.g., small, medium, large), then discussing and refining the groupings to reach consensus. This method helps teams estimate work without detailed analysis, fostering shared understanding and prioritization.
Developers should use Affinity Estimation during sprint planning or backlog refinement in agile projects to efficiently estimate large sets of items when time is limited or precise estimates aren't needed. It's particularly useful for high-level planning, such as release roadmaps or initial project scoping, as it reduces estimation fatigue and encourages team collaboration. This technique is ideal for distributed teams using digital tools or co-located teams with physical boards to align on effort and complexity quickly.