Sizing user stories using paired comparisons

Agile estimation approaches usually start by sizing the user stories to be developed by comparing them among themselves. Different techniques, with varying degrees of formality are used to conduct the comparisons – plain contrasts, triangulation, planning poker and voting. This article proposes the use of a modified paired comparison method in which a reduced number of comparisons is selected according to an incomplete cyclical design. Using two sets of data the authors show that the proposed method produces good estimates even when the number of comparisons is reduced by half those required by the original formulation of the method. The authors also consider the possibility of extending the use of the technique to maintenance requests and other fine grained development.