The Increment

An Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal. Each Increment is additive to all prior Increments and thoroughly verified, ensuring that all Increments work together. In order to provide value, the Increment must be usable.

Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint. The sum of the Increments is presented at the Sprint Review thus supporting empiricism. However, an Increment may be delivered to stakeholders prior to the end of the Sprint. The Sprint Review should never be considered a gate to releasing value.

Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done.

The definition above is a direct quote from the 2020 Scrum Guide.

Read it. Then read it one more time.

Really :-)

There is a TON to unpack in that new definition.

The big reminder for me is that *multiple* increments (stories?!) can be delivered during the Sprint [you don't need to wait until the end of the Sprint to release it).

Oh, and one more... if the increment (story?!!) does not meet the Definition of Done, it's not part of the increment.