3. DeÞnitions
In general the deÞnitions of terms used in this recommended practice conform to the deÞnitions provided in
IEEE Std 610.12-1990. The deÞnitions below are key terms as they are used in this recommended practice.
3.1 contract:
A legally binding document agreed upon by the customer and supplier. This includes the technical
and organizational requirements, cost, and schedule for a product. A contract may also contain informal
but useful information such as the commitments or expectations of the parties involved.
3.2 customer:
The person, or persons, who pay for the product and usually (but not necessarily) decide the
requirements. In the context of this recommended practice the customer and the supplier may be members of
the same organization.
3.3 supplier:
The person, or persons, who produce a product for a customer. In the context of this recommended
practice, the customer and the supplier may be members of the same organization.
3.4 user:
The person, or persons, who operate or interact directly with the product. The user(s) and the
customer(s) are often not the same person(s).