Which phrase defines a set of conditions for officially starting a defined task?

The phrase that defines a set of conditions for officially starting a defined task is "Entry criteria." This term is commonly used in project management and testing to specify the prerequisites that must be met before a task or phase can commence. For instance, in software testing, entry criteria might include having the necessary resources in place, such as test environments and test data, as well as ensuring that all prerequisite documentation is complete.

In the context of Agile methodologies, having clearly defined entry criteria helps ensure that the team is prepared to start work on a feature or task, leading to better quality outcomes and more efficient use of resources. By validating that all conditions outlined in the entry criteria are satisfied, teams can minimize misunderstandings and reduce the likelihood of encountering setbacks during the execution of the task.

On the other hand, exit criteria typically relate to the conditions that must be met to consider a task or project phase complete, acceptance criteria are used to define the specific requirements a product must meet for handover or delivery, and completion criteria relate more to finishing a task rather than starting it. Hence, knowing the right definition of these terms aids in successful task and project management within Agile and other methodologies.