Affinity estimation is a technique used to quickly estimate a large number of User Stories. Using sticky notes or

index cards or tape, the team places User Storied on a wall or other surface, in order from small to large. For

this, each team member begins with a subset or User Stories from the overall Prioritized Product Backlog to

place by relative size. This initial placement is done in silence. Once everyone has placed their User Stories

on the wall, the team reviews all the placements and may move User Stories around as appropriate. The

second part of the exercise involves discussion. Finally, the Product Owner will indicate some sizing

categories on the wall. These categories can be small, medium or large, or they may be numbered using story

point values to indicate relative size. The team will then move User Stories into these categories as the final

step in the process. Some key benefits of this approach are that the process is very transparent, visible to

everyone, and is easy to conduct.