ISO/IEC 26558:2017，在软件和系统产品线中支持显式和/或单独可变性建模、可变性模型管理和可变性模型支持的方法和工具的背景下: -提供软件和系统产品线可变性建模特有的术语和定义； -定义整个产品线生命周期中的可变性建模、可变性模型管理和可变性模型支持的流程。这些过程是根据目的、投入、任务和结果来描述的； -定义方法能力，以支持每个过程的定义任务； -定义自动化或半自动化任务和方法的工具功能。 ISO/IEC 26558:2017不涉及单个系统的工具和方法的流程和能力，而是涉及一系列产品的流程和能力。

ISO/IEC 26558:2017, within the context of methods and tools for supporting explicit and/or separate variability modelling, variability model management and variability model support in software and systems product lines: - provides the terms and definitions specific to variability modelling for software and systems product line; - defines processes for variability modelling, variability model management and variability model support throughout the product line lifecycle. 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 that automate or semi-automate tasks and methods. ISO/IEC 26558:2017 does not concern processes and capabilities of tools and methods for a single system but rather deals with those for a family of products.