What is considered the ideal outcome of a Sprint in Scrum?

In Scrum, the ideal outcome of a Sprint is a potentially releasable product increment. This means that at the end of each Sprint, the team should have developed a functional piece of the product that adds value and meets the Definition of Done. This concept is key to maintaining a flow of deliverables, allowing stakeholders to evaluate progress continuously and make informed decisions about the product's evolution.

The focus on delivering a potentially releasable increment encourages iterative development, where feedback from stakeholders can be integrated into subsequent Sprints. It enables teams to respond effectively to changing requirements and market conditions, ensuring that the product remains aligned with users' needs.

In contrast, while documentation and performance reports are helpful, they do not constitute the core purpose of a Sprint. Similarly, having a fixed plan for future Sprints may seem organized but contradicts Scrum's flexibility and adaptability to change. Scrum emphasizes delivering value through working software, supporting continuous improvement and responsiveness to feedback.