2. Basic terms

In the light of the foregoing considerations, the European standardization approach has led to the definition of a set of terms representing concepts deemed important, and which have given rise to definitions that now have international value. Most of the definitions given here are taken from the June 2001 standard NF EN 13306 (AFNOR X60-319) and the May 2002 AFNOR documentation fascicle FD X60-000. Several families of terms are grouped by main theme. These families are analyzed in this and the following paragraphs.

The fundamental terms are those relating to the function in general and to its management.