GB/T 13016-2018Principles and requirements for constructing standard system (English PDF)

2.1 System

Admitted term: system (in the sense of an assembled whole).

An organic whole with a specific function, formed by the combination of a number of interacting and interdependent component parts.

Note 1: a system may refer to an entire entity; a component of a system may itself be a system, in which case the component may be called a subsystem.

Note 2: a system is composed of elements.

2.2 Environment

All the factors that exist outside a system and have an influence on it.

2.3 Border

The limit that distinguishes the internal elements of a system from its external environment.

2.4 Standard system

A scientific organic whole formed by the standards within a given scope according to their internal relationships.

2.5 Model of standard system

A model used to express and describe the objectives, border, scope, environment and structural relationships of a standard system and to reflect the plan for standardization development.

Note: a model of standard system is a method or tool used to plan, implement, check and improve a standard system.

2.6 Diagram of standard system

A kind of model of standard system, usually comprising the structure chart of the standard system and the detailed list of standards, and which may also include a standard statistics table and compilation notes.

2.7 Industry

Industry (or sector) means the set of all units engaged in economic activities of the same nature.

[GB/T 4754-2011, definition 2.1]

2.8 Sub-industry

The set of all units engaged in economic activities of the same nature, subdivided within an industry (or sector).

Note: this corresponds to the "groups and classes" referred to in GB/T 4754. In keeping with customary usage, it is still called sub-industry.

2.9 Relevant standard

A standard in another system that is closely related to this system and needs to be adopted directly.

2.10 Particular standard

A standard that directly expresses the particular characteristics of one standardization object (a product or product series, process, service or management).

2.11 Common standard

A standard that expresses at the same time the common characteristics shared by several standardization objects.

3.1 Clear objectives

A standard system serves business objectives; when constructing a standard system, the standardization objectives shall be defined first.

3.2 Comprehensive completeness

The standard system shall be developed around its objectives and shall reflect the integrity of the system, that is, the comprehensive completeness of the subsystems and sub-subsystems of the system and of the standards listed in the detailed list of standards.

3.3 Appropriate levels

The diagram of standard system shall have appropriate levels:

a) each standard in the detailed list of standards shall have a corresponding level in the structure chart of the standard system;

Note 1: from a number of standards of the same kind within a given scope, the general technical requirements are extracted to form a common standard, which is placed at the upper level.

Note 2: basic standards should be placed at a higher level, that is, their scope of application is widened to favour unification within a given scope.

b) starting from particular standards, the common technical requirements are extracted to form the common standard of the level above;

c) to facilitate understanding and reduce complexity, the standard system should not have too many levels;

d) the same standard shall not be listed at the same time in two or more subsystems.

Note 3: standards are placed at different levels appropriately according to their scope of application. In general, the scope of application of a standard should be widened as far as possible, or the standard placed at a higher level as far as possible; that is, a standard that is coordinated and unified over a large scope should not be developed separately within several smaller scopes, so that the composition of the system is as rational and simplified as possible.

3.4 Clear division

The division of subsystems or categories within the diagram of standard system, and the determination of the scope and border of each subsystem, shall be based mainly on the identity of the nature of the standardization activities, such as industry, sub-industry or discipline, and should not be based on the jurisdiction of administrative bodies.

4.1 Determining the standardization policy and objectives

Before constructing a standard system, the following shall first be understood, so as to guide and coordinate the construction of the standard systems of the departments concerned:

a) understand the business strategy supported by standardization;

b) define the vision of the standard system construction and the objectives to be achieved in the near term;

c) determine the standardization policy or strategy (implementation strategy), guiding ideas and basic principles for achieving the standardization objectives;

d) determine the scope and border of the standard system.

4.2 Investigation and research

Investigation and research on the standard system usually covers:

a) the situation of standard system construction in China and abroad;

b) the existing standardization basis, including the standards already developed and the related standardization research projects and work items already carried out;

c) the existing problems relating to standardization;

d) the needs for the construction of the standard system.

4.3 Analysis and organization

In accordance with the policy and objectives of the standard system construction and the specific standardization needs, and drawing on the structural frameworks of existing standard systems in China and abroad, the standard system is analysed from the perspective of different standardization objects - the type of standard, the technical field, the level, the function, the life cycle of the business and so on - so as to determine the structural relationships of the standard system.

4.4 Compiling the diagram of standard system

Compiling the diagram of standard system usually covers:

a) Determining the structure chart of the standard system: on the basis of the results of the analysis of the standards along different dimensions, select appropriate dimensions as the main dimensions of the standard system framework, compile the structure chart of the standard system, and write explanations of the content of the subsystems at each level and of the modules of the standard system structure.

b) Compiling the detailed list of standards: collect and organize the external standards to be adopted, such as international and national standards, and the internal standards already existing in the field, propose the list of standards planned to be developed in the near and longer term, and compile the detailed list of standards.

c) Writing the compilation notes for the diagram of standard system: the content of the compilation notes is given in 5.4.

4.5 Dynamic maintenance and updating

A standard system is a dynamic system; it shall be continually optimized and improved in use, and maintained and updated as business needs and technology develop.

5.1 Structure chart of the standard system

5.1.1 General

The structure chart of the standard system is used to express the scope, border and internal structure of the standard system, and its intent. The diagram of standard system usually comprises the structure chart of the standard system, the detailed list of standards, the standard statistics table and the compilation notes for the standard system; the structural relationships of a standard system generally include "level" relationships between upper and lower levels, "sequence" relationships arranged in a given logical order, or combined relationships in which these structures are combined.

5.1.2 Symbols and conventions

The compilation of the diagram of standard system shall follow the symbol conventions below:

a) the structure chart of the standard system is represented by rectangular boxes, and the text in a box gives the name of the standard system or standard subsystem;

b) as a rule, one box represents a group of standards; if the text in a box is underlined, the box represents only the heading of the system and contains no specific standards;

c) each box may be given a chart number, and the detailed list of standards is compiled according to the chart numbers;