Is Releasing the Increment at the End of the Sprint Required?
No, reviewing an increment at the Sprint Review does not mean it must be released. Teams can decide whether to release it based on its readiness and usefulness to customers.
Metaphor
Releasing an Increment is like baking a cake — just because it’s ready for the party doesn’t mean you have to serve it right then. The key is that it’s fully baked and usable, whether or not you slice it.
In Scrum, the Sprint Review showcases the Increment, but the actual release depends on whether delivering it now provides value.
A Sprint can just as easily result in zero releases as it can in multiple.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking:(1)
1.
Susek C. What is a Product Increment [Internet]. scrum.org; [cited 2025 Sep 1]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TLTynKujNo&t=1s