Agile Estimation & Planning in 2026: Why They Still Matter (and How to Do Them Right)

Estimating and planning are often blamed for what’s wrong with agile. By 2026, many teams have abandoned them entirely after seeing estimates used as promises and plans turned into contracts. In this video, Mike Cohn explains why estimating and planning still matter for agile teams—not because the future is predictable, but because it isn’t. You’ll learn: • Why you can’t avoid estimating (only hide it) • How estimates support decisions rather than predictions • Why “wrong” estimates are often valuable • How planning can increase adaptability instead of reducing it • When estimation becomes harmful—and what to do instead This is not a defense of rigid plans or precision estimation. It’s a practical, experience-based look at how mature agile teams use estimating and planning responsibly in 2026. 🔗 Read the companion blog post: https://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/blog/estimating-and-planning-in-agile-2026 🔗 Explore more agile resources, courses, and workshops: https://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com Chapters 00:00 Estimating & Planning in Agile: Why Teams Are Burned Out 01:03 Why Eliminating Estimation Is a Mistake 01:37 Explicit vs Implicit Estimates in Agile Teams 02:22 Estimates Are Hypotheses, Not Promises 03:16 Planning Is About Decisions, Not Predicting the Future 03:54 Flow Metrics vs Estimation: Why Teams Need Both 04:28 How Lightweight Planning Protects Agile Teams 04:57 How to Use Estimates Responsibly in Agile