An Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal. Each one is
additive to every prior Increment and thoroughly verified, so that all Increments
work together. Its commitment is the Definition of Done.
Multiple Increments per Sprint
More than one Increment may be created within a Sprint. Their sum is presented at
the Sprint Review, which supports empiricism by giving stakeholders something
real to inspect. An Increment may also be delivered to stakeholders before the
Sprint ends. The Sprint Review is not a release gate.
Done or not part of the Increment
Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of
Done. This is the line the exam tests most often in this area, because an item that is
functionally complete but fails one criterion of the Definition of Done is not
part of the Increment, and returns to the Product Backlog.
Additive and verified
"Additive" means each Increment builds on what came before rather than replacing
it, and "thoroughly verified" means the combination has been checked, not just
the new part. Both matter when several teams contribute Increments to one
product.
Common misconceptions
“Exactly one Increment is produced per Sprint.”
Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint. Their sum is presented at the Sprint Review.
“An Increment cannot be released until the Sprint ends.”
An Increment may be delivered to stakeholders before the end of the Sprint. The Sprint Review should not be treated as a gate for releasing value.
“Work that is not Done still counts as part of the Increment.”
Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done.
1 question test this concept
During a Sprint a team completes three separate pieces of work that each meet the Definition of Done, and releases the first two to customers before the Sprint ends. Which statement is correct?
AMultiple Increments may be created within a Sprint, and an Increment may be delivered to stakeholders before the end of the Sprint.
BOnly one Increment may exist per Sprint, so the two releases were not Increments.
CIncrements may only be released after the Sprint Review has approved them.
DReleasing mid-Sprint means the Sprint Review is no longer required.