Planning Game

The Planning Game is a core practice from Extreme Programming (XP), an Agile software development methodology created by Kent Beck. XP focuses on improving software quality and responsiveness to change through practices like pair programming, test-driven development, and continuous integration.

The Planning Game is XP's approach to lightweight, collaborative planning. It brings together business and technical perspectives to decide what to build next and how much can be done in the next iteration.

How the Planning Game works

The process balances business value and technical effort:

• The Customer (a business representative) defines which features are most valuable.
• The Developers estimate the effort needed to implement those features.
• Together, they decide what to include in the next iteration based on capacity and priorities.

Planning is ongoing and adaptive, not a one-time event. As new information emerges, plans are adjusted. This supports short cycles, fast feedback, and shared responsibility.

Parallels in Scrum

While Scrum doesn't use the term "Planning Game," the concept maps closely to:

• Backlog Refinement, where the Product Owner and Developers clarify and size upcoming work
• Sprint Planning, where the team decides what they can deliver in the next Sprint

Both approaches promote transparency, shared decision-making, and continuous learning. The Planning Game reflects a core Agile belief: planning works best when it's collaborative, iterative, and grounded in real feedback.