Can We Estimate Enabler or Exploration Stories in Agile? | Estimation | Scrum Master | Story points

In this episode, we tackle a frequently asked interview question: Can we estimate enabler or exploration stories in Agile? This topic often causes confusion, especially when distinguishing between work items like spikes, enablers, and exploration stories. Through this detailed discussion, we’ll demystify the concept of estimating these types of work items.

We start by revisiting what a spike is. A spike is created when there are too many uncertainties or when we're lacking clarity about the work. Spikes allow us to gather information, explore options, and reduce uncertainties. Importantly, spikes aren't estimated because they represent the unknowns. Instead, we allocate a fixed timeframe, whether it's a sprint, a few days, or any other period based on the project’s needs.

Now, we turn our focus to enablers and exploration stories. The key rule is simple: if there is sufficient information and the team is clear about the work, it can be estimated using story points. But if uncertainties remain, and the work involves research or analysis, we cannot estimate it in the traditional sense. In such cases, we treat it like a spike by assigning a fixed timeframe.

Throughout this video, we’ll clarify how to differentiate between estimable and non-estimable work items in your product backlog. We also explain how to create work items that reflect whether the work involves certainty (enabler) or ongoing exploration (spike), making your Agile process smoother and more transparent. By the end, you'll understand how to handle enabler and exploration stories in Agile development, ensuring your team remains efficient and aligned.

Stay tuned to learn how to apply these principles, enhance your backlog management, and remove uncertainties in your Agile process!

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