What does the Increment represent in Scrum?

The Increment in Scrum represents the sum of all completed Product Backlog items that have been finished during the current Sprint and all previous Sprints. It serves as a cumulative measure of progress and value delivered to stakeholders. Each Increment must be usable, meeting the Definition of Done, which ensures that all completed work meets agreed-upon quality standards and can potentially be released to customers.

By focusing on the sum of completed Product Backlog items, Scrum reinforces the importance of delivering working software regularly, which allows for continuous feedback and adaptation. This aspect of the Increment enables the team to provide stakeholders with tangible results that reflect the development effort made so far.

The other options, while related to aspects of Scrum, do not accurately capture the essence of the Increment. The total work completed in all Sprints is a broader concept, while the final product release refers to the end of a project. The work planned for the next Sprint pertains to future work rather than what has already been completed. Thus, these interpretations do not align with the definition and purpose of the Increment in Scrum.