The Increment is one of the three essential artifacts in the Scrum framework, alongside the Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog. It represents the sum of all Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint, combined with the value of all previous Sprints' Increments. The Increment is a concrete step…The Increment is one of the three essential artifacts in the Scrum framework, alongside the Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog. It represents the sum of all Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint, combined with the value of all previous Sprints' Increments. The Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal and must be in a usable condition regardless of whether the Product Owner decides to release it.
Each Increment must meet the Definition of Done, which is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment. If a Product Backlog item does not meet the Definition of Done, it cannot be released or presented at the Sprint Review.
Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint, and the sum of the Increments is presented at the Sprint Review, supporting empiricism. The Increment is additive to all prior Increments and is thoroughly verified, ensuring that all Increments work together. Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done.
For Product Owners, understanding the Increment is crucial because it represents the actual value being delivered to stakeholders. The Product Owner uses the Increment to gather feedback during Sprint Reviews and makes decisions about future Product Backlog ordering based on what has been learned. The Increment provides transparency into progress toward the Product Goal and enables stakeholders to inspect tangible results rather than abstract plans.
The commitment for the Increment artifact is the Definition of Done, which ensures quality standards are maintained and provides a shared understanding across the Scrum Team about when work is truly complete and potentially releasable to users or customers.
Increment Artifact: Complete Guide for PSPO I Exam
What is the Increment?
The Increment is one of the three artifacts in the Scrum framework. It represents the sum of all Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint, combined with the value of all previous Increments. The Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal.
Key Characteristics of the Increment:
• Each Increment must be usable and meet the Definition of Done • Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint • An Increment can be delivered to stakeholders at any point during the Sprint, not just at the Sprint Review • The Increment is additive - each one builds upon all prior Increments • Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done
Why is the Increment Important?
The Increment is crucial for several reasons:
1. Transparency: It provides empirical evidence of progress toward the Product Goal 2. Value Delivery: It enables the delivery of value to customers and stakeholders regularly 3. Inspection: Stakeholders can inspect actual working product, not just plans 4. Risk Reduction: Frequent delivery of Increments reduces risk and allows for faster feedback 5. Adaptation: Based on inspection, the Product Owner can adapt the Product Backlog
How Does the Increment Work?
During each Sprint, the Developers select Product Backlog items and work to transform them into a Done Increment. The Definition of Done serves as the commitment for the Increment, ensuring everyone shares the same understanding of what done means.
The Increment must be: • In a usable condition • Verified against the Definition of Done • Potentially releasable (the Product Owner decides actual release)
The Increment and the Product Owner
As a Product Owner, understanding the Increment is essential because:
• You decide when to release the Increment to customers • You inspect the Increment at Sprint Review to gather feedback • You use insights from the Increment to refine the Product Backlog • You are accountable for maximizing the value the Increment delivers
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Increment Artifact
Tip 1: Remember that the Increment must meet the Definition of Done - incomplete work is never part of the Increment
Tip 2: Understand that delivery to stakeholders can happen anytime during the Sprint, not only at Sprint Review
Tip 3: The Sprint Review is for inspecting the Increment and adapting the Product Backlog - it is not a gate for creating the Increment
Tip 4: Multiple Increments can exist in a single Sprint - there is no limit
Tip 5: The Product Owner has the authority to release the Increment at any time
Tip 6: Each Increment is additive to all prior Increments and thoroughly verified to ensure all Increments work together
Tip 7: If a question mentions work that does not meet the Definition of Done, that work cannot be presented as part of the Increment
Common Exam Scenarios:
• Questions about incomplete work at Sprint end - remember it goes back to the Product Backlog • Questions about who decides to release - the Product Owner makes this decision • Questions about what constitutes an Increment - only Done work counts • Questions about Sprint Review purpose - inspecting the Increment and collaborating on next steps