Process

Set of interrelated or interacting activities that use inputs to deliver an intended result Note 1 to entry: Whether the “intended result” of a process is called output (3.7.5), product (3.7.6) or service (3.7.7) depends on the context of the reference. Note 2 to entry: Inputs to a process are generally the outputs of other processes and outputs of a process are generally the inputs to other processes. Note 3 to entry: Two or more interrelated and interacting processes in series can also be referred to as a process. Note 4 to entry: Processes in an organization (3.2.1) are generally planned and carried out under controlled conditions to add value. Note 5 to entry: A process where the conformity (3.6.11) of the resulting output cannot be readily or economically validated is frequently referred to as a “special process”. Note 6 to entry: This constitutes one of the common terms and core definitions for ISO management system standards given in Annex SL of the Consolidated ISO Supplement to the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. The original definition has been modified to prevent circularity between process and output, and Notes 1 to 5 to entry have been added.