This International Standard specifies guidelines setting out the phases and procedures to be followed in terminology standardization projects, as well as harmonization and uniformity projects, both inside and outside the framework of international standardization. It is divided into two sections, the first one dealing with terminology standardization in general, and the second dealing with terminology standardization within international standards bodies (ISO, for example). It answers a need expressed by many members of national and international standards bodies and managers of terminology working groups for a standard on the management of terminology standardization projects, rather than solely on the processes of terminology work, project management or quality assurance, which are covered in other standards.

It does not stipulate the principles of terminology work, which are treated in other ISO/TC 37 standards (see ISO 704 for example), nor the methodological approach to international harmonization of concepts, concept systems, terms and definitions, which are treated in ISO 860. It also does not deal with the rules for the preparation and layout of international terminology standards, outlined in ISO 10241, or provide advice for creating and using terminological databases, found in ISO/TR 12618. Finally, it does not deal with the guidelines on quality in project management found in ISO 10006.

These guidelines should be applied to all phases of terminology standardization projects, from the initial identification of needs to the final satisfaction of requirements and user expectations.