A Comprehensive Guide on Affinity Estimating

Affinity Estimating is an important facet of agile estimation techniques. Understanding and mastering this technique can give you an edge, both in the real world application and in exams like PMI-ACP.

What is Affinity Estimating?
Affinity Estimating is a speedy and collaborative estimation process. In this method, a large number of user stories, or backlog items, are estimated in a very short time. The aim is not to achieve an exact estimate, but an approximation of relative size.

Why is it important?
It helps teams estimate quickly and prioritize work from a relative sense of size, not an exact science. It encourages more meaningful conversation about stories and helps to uncover hidden complexities.

How it works?
Team members categorize the size of a user story by its gravitational 'weight'. Each item is compared to a set of reference items, typically previously completed user stories. The reference set of items is often classified as 1,2,3,5,8 - based on Fibonacci sequence.

How to Answer Questions on Affinity Estimating in An Exam?
Understand that Affinity Estimating is comparative, not exact. Look for answers that emphasize speed, collaboration and relative sizing.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Affinity Estimating
1. Questions will focus on concepts, not calculations. Understand the 'why', not just the 'how'.
2. It's a group activity, so answers focusing on team collaboration is a strong clue.
3. Affinity Estimating looks to rank or order user stories, not find their exact size.
4. Risk and complexity considerations are key parts of this technique in your decision-making.
5. It's faster than other estimation techniques.