该国际标准为软件生命周期过程建立了一个通用框架，具有明确定义的术语，可供软件行业参考。它包含在购买包含软件、独立软件产品和软件服务的系统期间以及在软件产品的供应、开发、操作和维护期间要应用的过程、活动和任务。软件包括固件的软件部分。 该国际标准还提供了一个可用于定义、控制和改进软件生命周期过程的过程。

This International Standard establishes a common framework for software life cycle processes, with well-defined terminology, that can be referenced by the software industry. It contains processes, activities, and tasks that are to be applied during the acquisition of a system that contains software, a stand-alone software product, and software service and during the supply, development, operation, and maintenance of software products. Software includes the software portion of firmware. This International Standard also provides a process that can be employed for defining, controlling, and improving software life cycle processes.