Definition
Story Points are an Agile estimation unit used to measure the complexity and effort required to complete a user story or task. Unlike time-based estimates, story points focus on relative difficulty, risk, and effort rather than specific hours or days.
How Story Points Work:
Teams assign story points based on factors like:
✔️ Task Complexity – Is it a straightforward fix or a complex feature?
✔️ Effort Required – Does it require multiple team members?
✔️ Uncertainty & Risk – Are there unknown technical challenges?
Why Use Story Points Instead of Hours?
- More accurate – Reduces bias in estimating exact hours.
- Encourages team collaboration – The team collectively agrees on effort.
- Easier to track velocity – Helps forecast project completion more effectively.
For example, in a Scrum team, a small bug fix might be 1 point, while a major new feature might be 8 points.
