Certified Scrum Master Practice Test

Which estimation technique involves using previous experiences to inform current estimates?

1. Wideband Delphi

2. Top-down estimation

3. Expert judgment

4. Planning poker

The correct answer is: Expert judgment

The correct choice, which involves using previous experiences to inform current estimates, is expert judgment. This technique leverages the knowledge and skills of experienced individuals to assess the complexity and effort required for tasks based on their past encounters with similar projects or assignments. Experts can draw from their historical data and contextual knowledge, allowing for more informed and reliable estimates in current situations. Wideband Delphi, while a collaborative estimation technique that gathers multiple expert opinions, places more emphasis on group consensus rather than solely relying on an individual expert's experience. Top-down estimation tends to provide a high-level overview and might not adequately reflect detailed knowledge from specific past experiences. Planning poker is a consensus-based method that facilitates team collaboration; however, it does not focus primarily on leveraging past experiences but instead relies on team interaction and discussions during the estimation process. Overall, expert judgment is particularly valuable as it integrates lessons learned and insights from previous projects into the estimation process, making it a powerful tool for accuracy in project planning.