In 30 seconds
- Lay items out from small to large, silently, then discuss outliers.
- Sizes a large backlog in under an hour.
- Best for first-pass sizing, not detailed sprint planning.
How it works
- Write each item on a card.
- Team members place cards silently along a wall from small to large.
- Anyone can move any card; cards that keep moving get flagged.
- Discuss the flagged cards and settle them.
- Draw size boundaries and assign points or T-shirt sizes to each group.
When to use it
Use it when you have many items to size quickly, such as a new backlog or a release plan. Planning Poker is better for a handful of items where detailed discussion matters.
Tips
- Pick two or three reference items first to anchor the scale
- Timebox the silent phase to keep momentum
- Remote teams can use a shared whiteboard
Myth vs reality
Myth · Silent sorting skips conversation.
Reality · It saves conversation for the items that really need it.
Myth · It's less accurate than Planning Poker.
Reality · For first-pass sizing, it's usually just as useful and much faster.
Myth · Only developers can sort.
Reality · The people doing the work should, with the Product Owner on hand to clarify.
FAQ
How many items can we size?
Teams often size 50 or more items in an hour.
What scale should we use?
Fibonacci points or T-shirt sizes, whichever the team already knows.
Should we re-estimate later?
Yes, top items get a closer look during refinement.