Target conditions provide a desired pattern of work and metrics for improvement beyond an individual's current knowledge. They are written as if the desired condition already exists using language like "if these conditions exist" rather than "increase" or "improve". An effective target condition consists of a specific achievement date within 2 weeks and outlines a desired pattern of work, process characteristics, process metric, and outcome metric that logically relate and can be measured. The target condition creates an "if/then" scenario to focus improvement efforts towards achieving specific outcomes within a set timeframe.