ISO/IEC 26557:2016，在软件和系统产品线可变性机制的工具和方法范围内: -提供与软件和系统产品线的可变性机制相关的术语和定义； -定义在每个产品线生命周期阶段操作可变性机制的过程及其子过程，以及提供管理支持的过程及其子过程。这些过程从目的、输入、任务和结果方面进行描述； -定义方法能力，以支持每个过程的定义任务； -定义自动化/半自动化任务的工具功能或定义的方法功能。 ISO/IEC 26557:2016不涉及单个系统的工具和方法的过程和能力，而是涉及一系列产品的过程和能力。

ISO/IEC 26557:2016, within the context of tools and methods of variability mechanisms for software and system product lines: - provides the terms and definitions related to variability mechanisms for software and systems product lines; - defines processes and their subprocesses for operating variability mechanisms at each product line life cycle stages and those for providing managerial supports. Those processes are described in terms of purpose, inputs, tasks and outcomes; - defines method capabilities to support the defined tasks of each process; - defines tool capabilities to automate/semi-automate tasks or defined method capabilities. ISO/IEC 26557:2016 does not concern processes and capabilities of tools and methods for a single system, but rather deals with those for a family of products.