Delegation Poker
Makes delegation levels explicit and supports teams in distributing decisions.
PURPOSE
Delegation Poker is used to transparently and playfully clarify delegation levels in teams. It solves the problem that delegation is often misunderstood as a black-and-white decision between full control and complete autonomy. Through the shared discussion of the seven delegation levels, clarity emerges about who can make which decisions in which context.
HOW TO USE
Each team member receives seven cards with delegation levels from 1 (Tell) to 7 (Delegate). For each decision situation to be clarified, everyone simultaneously places a card face down and then reveals them together. When there are different assessments, a discussion takes place until a shared understanding emerges. Document the results on a Delegation Board for permanent reference.
WHAT IT IS
Delegation Poker is a card game from Jurgen Appelo's Management 3.0 approach. It defines seven delegation levels: Tell, Sell, Consult, Agree, Advise, Inquire, and Delegate. The game is played with one set of cards per person and serves to align the desired delegation level for specific decision situations within the team.
EXAMPLE
Example: You are a Scrum Master and play Delegation Poker with your team for the decision of who gets to select new technologies for the tech stack. Each team member simultaneously shows a card from 1 (manager decides) to 7 (team decides completely). The different cards trigger an important discussion about responsibility and trust.