What is meant by the 'Definition of Ready' in terms of requirements?

The 'Definition of Ready' is a crucial concept in agile methodologies that outlines the specific criteria that a user story or requirement must meet before it can be taken into the development process. It acts as a checklist designed to ensure that the team has sufficiently understood the requirement, that it is actionable, and that all necessary information is available to proceed with development. This helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces the risk of creating work that is incomplete or lacking context, thus enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the development process.

For instance, criteria in a Definition of Ready might include clear acceptance criteria, necessary dependencies identified, and confirmation that any necessary design work has been completed. By establishing these guidelines, teams can ensure that they have everything needed to start work on a requirement confidently, minimizing the likelihood of delays later in the development cycle.

The other options describe different concepts that do not align with the specific function of the Definition of Ready. A declaration of the project's overall readiness for market pertains to different aspects of product deployment, while a final approval process before project completion signifies a stage-gate approach rather than readiness for development. Lastly, a report outlining unmet requirements and next steps relates to project tracking and management rather than the preparatory criteria for specific tasks or stories aimed at guiding development