This page outlines the three roles available in SprintPoker sessions — Moderator, Participant, and Observer — including what each role can see and do. It explains how to manage roles, who should have which access, and why assigning the correct role matters for session flow and automation (like auto-reveal). Use this guide to ensure smooth facilitation, proper participation, and visibility for all session attendees.

👥 User Roles & Permissions

Understand what Moderators, Participants, and Observers can see and do in a SprintPoker session — and how role management impacts the flow of estimation.

🔑 Role Types Overview

Role	Estimating	Commenting	Can Manage Roles	Controls Session Flow	Ideal For

Role	Estimating	Commenting	Can Manage Roles	Controls Session Flow	Ideal For
Moderator	✅ if also a participant	✅	✅	✅	Scrum masters, team leads
Participant	✅	✅	❌	❌	Estimating team members
Observer	❌	❌	❌	❌	Stakeholders, silent reviewers

🧑‍✈️ Moderators

Moderators are responsible for managing and facilitating the session. They have full control over the session flow and role assignments.

Key permissions:

🎯 Start & Finish Estimations
Control when estimation starts and when cards are revealed.
📝 Save Final Estimate
Confirm and update the Jira estimation value after team votes.
🙋‍♂️ Assign / Change User Roles
Move users between Moderator / Participant / Observer roles via the user panel.
➕ Add More Users Mid-Session
Use the right-hand column to invite and assign users at any time.

Moderators are always either a Participant or an Observer — their role includes one of those functional types, with added session control.

👀 Observers

Observers can view the session in real time but cannot vote or comment.

Ideal for:

Product Owners
Stakeholders
Developers not involved in estimation

Observers can switch to Participants before estimation starts, but cannot do so while voting is active.

🎮 Participants

Participants actively estimate during the session.

They can:

View issues and estimation cards
Cast a vote
Leave optional comments on issues (if enabled)

Like Observers, Participants can change roles before the estimation phase begins. Once a session is mid-estimation, roles are locked until that round ends.

🔄 Role Switching

Users can switch between Observer and Participant anytime outside of the estimation phase. Moderators can promote any user to Moderator at any time.

⚠️ Why Role Accuracy Matters

If all online Participants submit their votes, the session may automatically reveal estimation results (if setting is enabled) — skipping the manual reveal step for Moderators.

That’s why it’s important to:

✅ Ensure only estimators are marked as Participants
👀 Keep observers in the Observer role
🎯 Use Moderator role strategically to maintain control

Need help understanding the Modes? See:
👉 Quick Estimation Mode