An artifact is a tangible or intangible item created, used, or modified in a process or framework. Artifacts can take many forms, including documents, diagrams, code, reports, etc. They are created and used by teams to support developing, managing, and improving processes, projects, and products.
Artifacts are a key component of process methodology, as they provide a tangible representation of the work that has been done, the work that needs to be done, and the progress that has been made toward achieving the goals of the process or framework. Artifacts help facilitate communication and collaboration among team members and provide a shared understanding of the work being done and the expected outcomes.
Scrum has three artifacts: the increment, the Product Backlog, and the Sprint Backlog.