HKSM
Fist of Five
A lightweight, quick way to estimate and reach group agreement: after a short discussion, each Scrum Team member simultaneously shows 1 to 5 fingers to indicate their stance, using the spread of votes to decide whether to proceed or talk more.
Key Points
- Uses a 1–5 finger scale shown at the same time to avoid anchoring or bias.
- 5 means strong support/confidence; 1 means major concern; mid-numbers show partial support.
- Large variation prompts discussion and another round until alignment is achieved.
- Works for agile estimation and for general decision and commitment checks.
Example
During Sprint Planning, the team reviews a user story. After clarifying questions, everyone votes with fingers: two members show 2 while others show 4–5. The team asks the low voters to explain risks, adjusts acceptance criteria, and revotes to converge on a shared estimate and commitment.
PMP Example Question
In a Scrum session, the facilitator asks team members to hold up 1 to 5 fingers at the same time to show their support for a proposed estimate. Which technique is being used?
- Wideband Delphi
- Fist of Five
- Planning Poker
- Dot Voting
Correct Answer: B — Fist of Five
Explanation: The 1–5 finger simultaneous vote is the hallmark of Fist of Five, used for quick estimation and consensus checks.
