Tailoring a process makes, alters, or adapts a process description for a particular end. For example, a project establishes its defined process by tailoring from the organization's set of standard processes to meet the objectives, constraints, and environment of the project.

Organizational guidelines that enable projects, groups, and organizational functions to appropriately adapt standard processes for their use. The organization's set of standard processes is described at a general level that may not be directly usable to perform a process.
Tailoring guidelines aid those who establish the defined processes for projects. Tailoring guidelines cover (1) selecting a standard process, (2) selecting an approved lifecycle model, and (3) tailoring the selected standard process and lifecycle model to fit project needs. Tailoring guidelines describe what can and cannot be modified and identify process components that are candidates for modification.

In the continuous representation, a list of process areas and their corresponding capability levels that represent an objective for process improvement. (See also "achievement profile" and "capability level profile.")

In the continuous representation, a sequence of target profiles that describes the path of process improvement to be followed by the organization. (See also "achievement profile," "capability level profile," and "target profile.")

Characteristic of a process, product, or service, generally defined by a functional or technical requirement (e.g., estimating accuracy, user functions, security functions, response time, component accuracy, maximum weight, minimum throughput, and allowable range).

Precisely defined technical measure of a requirement, capability, or some combination of requirements and capabilities. (See also "measure.")

Properties (i.e., attributes) of products or services to be acquired or developed.

Detailed instructions for the setup, execution, and evaluation of results for a given test.

A discernable association among two or more logical entities such as requirements, system elements, verifications, or tasks. (See also "bidirectional traceability" and "requirements traceability.")

An evaluation of alternatives, based on criteria and systematic analysis, to select the best alternative for attaining determined objectives.

Formal and informal learning options, which may include in-class training, informal mentoring, Web-based training, guided self-study, and formalized on-the-job training programs. The learning options selected for each situation are based on an assessment of the need for training and the performance gap to be addressed.

An informative model component that provides sample outputs from a specific practice. These examples are called typical work products because there are often other work products that are just as effective but are not listed.