1.1 Purpose This International Standard establishes a common framework for software life cycle processes, with well-defined terminology, that can be referenced by the software industry. It contains processes, activities, and tasks that are to be applied during the acquisition of a system that contains software, a stand-alone software product, and software service and during the supply, development, operation, and maintenance of software products. Software includes the software portion of firmware. This International Standard also provides a process that can be employed for defining, controlling, and improving software life cycle processes.