The Scrum Guide mandates that when multiple Scrum Teams work on one product, they produce a
single integrated Increment: "Multiple Scrum Teams often work together on the same product... The
Increment must be integrated and usable so that it can provide value." This ensures transparency
and stakeholder feedback at the Sprint Review. Option A (hardening Sprint) is a misconception—
Scrum rejects separate phases for integration. Option B contradicts the single-product focus. Option
C limits integration to dependencies, but the Scrum Guide requires full integration regardless. Option
D correctly emphasizes the need for a cohesive, inspectable Increment, making it the best answer.
Reference: Scrum Guide (2020), Section: "The Increment."
