What does a "Done" Increment signify in Scrum?

A "Done" Increment in Scrum signifies that the work completed during a sprint meets the Definition of Done, which includes all aspects that are necessary for it to be potentially releasable to stakeholders. This means the increment is usable and meets the quality standards set by the team. The focus here is on delivering a usable product that stakeholders can interact with and provide feedback on, which is crucial for the iterative process of Scrum.

This understanding aligns with the framework's emphasis on delivering value through incremental improvements to the product. The definition ensures clarity and sets an expectation that the increment is not just a collection of completed tasks but a fully functional piece of software ready for potential release.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the essence of a "Done" Increment as defined in Scrum. While projects do have phases and tasks, the core concept of delivering usable, releasable functionality transcends these simpler metrics.