ISO/IEC 26559:2017，在软件和系统产品线的可变性可追溯性工具和方法的背景下: -提供特定于软件和系统产品线可变性可追溯性的术语和定义； -定义过程组及其过程，用于在产品线生命周期过程中建立和管理可变性可追溯性。这些过程是根据目的、输入、任务和结果来描述的； -定义方法能力，以支持每个过程的定义任务； -定义自动化/半自动化任务的工具能力或定义的方法能力。 ISO/IEC 26559:2017不涉及单个系统的工具和方法的流程和能力，而是涉及一系列产品的流程和能力。

ISO/IEC 26559:2017, within the context of the tools and methods of variability traceability for software and system product lines:
- provides the terms and definitions specific to variability traceability for software and systems product lines;
- defines process groups and their processes for establishing and managing variability traceability at product line lifecycle processes. Those processes are described in terms of purpose, inputs, tasks, and outcomes;
- defines method capabilities to support the defined tasks of each process;
- defines tool capabilities to automate/semi-automate tasks or defined method capabilities.
ISO/IEC 26559:2017 does not concern processes and capabilities of tools and methods for a single system but rather deals with those for a family of products.