ISO/IEC 26557:2016，在软件和系统产品线可变性机制的工具和方法的背景下: -提供与软件和系统产品线的可变性机制相关的术语和定义； -定义用于在每个产品线生命周期阶段操作可变性机制的流程及其子流程以及用于提供管理支持的流程及其子流程。这些过程是根据目的、投入、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 26557:2016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 26557:2016, within the context of tools and methods of variability mechanisms for software and system product lines: - provides the terms and definitions related to variability mechanisms for software and systems product lines; - defines processes and their subprocesses for operating variability mechanisms at each product line life cycle stages and those for providing managerial supports. 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 26557:2016 does not concern processes and capabilities of tools and methods for a single system, but rather deals with those for a family of products.