1. What is a Story Points to Hours Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts story points (a unit of measure in Agile development) into estimated hours of work.

Purpose: It helps Agile teams translate abstract story points into concrete time estimates for better sprint planning.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( H \) — Estimated hours (h)
• \( SP \) — Story points (dimensionless)
• \( k \) — Hours per story point (h/SP, team-specific)

Explanation: Multiply the number of story points by your team's historical conversion factor to estimate the hours required.

3. Importance of Story Point Conversion

Details: Converting story points to hours helps with sprint capacity planning, resource allocation, and setting realistic expectations with stakeholders.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total story points for the sprint and your team's specific conversion factor (default 4.0 h/SP). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do we determine our k factor?
A: Calculate your historical average by dividing actual hours spent by story points completed over several sprints.

Q2: Why use story points instead of hours?
A: Story points account for complexity and uncertainty better than hours, which can vary between team members.

Q3: Should the k factor change over time?
A: Yes, as your team becomes more efficient, the k factor should decrease, reflecting higher velocity.

Q4: Is this calculator suitable for all Agile teams?
A: While the formula works universally, each team should determine their own k factor based on their unique velocity.

Q5: How often should we recalculate our k factor?
A: Review it every 3-6 sprints or whenever team composition or project complexity changes significantly.