When using planning poker for estimating story points, what should the Scrum Master ensure?

In the context of using planning poker for estimating story points, it is essential for the Scrum Master to ensure that consensus includes the entire work involved from all perspectives. This approach fosters collaboration and comprehensive understanding among team members, as it integrates insights from different roles within the team, such as developers, testers, and business analysts.

Reaching a consensus allows the team to collectively assess the complexity and effort required for a user story. Involving diverse perspectives ensures that no critical aspects are overlooked, which enhances the accuracy and reliability of the estimates. This collective approach also promotes engagement among team members, encouraging open communication and shared ownership of the project work.

In contrast, estimating only from a development perspective might lead to an incomplete understanding of the user story, neglecting factors such as testing or user experience, which are crucial for delivering a high-quality product. Therefore, ensuring consensus that incorporates various perspectives aligns with Agile principles and improves overall team performance.