What is the purpose of the Product Increment?

The purpose of the Product Increment is to ensure that the completed work is potentially shippable and adds business value. This reflects the core principles of Scrum, where increments of the product are delivered regularly to enable feedback and inspection. A Product Increment consists of all the completed work from a Sprint, which meets the Definition of Done and is usable in its current state. This means that at the end of each Sprint, the increment is not just an aggregation of work completed; it represents a tangible improvement to the product that can be deployed or released if the product owner chooses to do so.

This approach emphasizes the importance of delivering increments that provide value to stakeholders and the end users, ensuring that development efforts align with business goals and customer needs. It is a critical aspect of the iterative and incremental delivery model that Scrum embodies, enabling teams to adapt quickly to changing requirements and priorities.

In contrast, elements such as a detailed work schedule, showcasing efforts, or identifying risks and strategies do not accurately capture the essence of what a Product Increment is intended to accomplish. The ultimate goal is to create a product increment that delivers real, usable value rather than simply documenting or presenting progress.