# 3 Terms and definitions, ISO 42024 ## Published contents Contents1 Scope2 Normative references3 Terms and definitions4 Architecture concepts4.1 Overview4.2 Architecture and architecting4.3 Architecture design and solution design4.4 Architecture definition and communication4.5 Stakeholder concerns and architectural aspects4.6 Architecture viewpoints and architecture views4.7 Architecture frameworks and architecture description languages4.8 Architecture descriptions and architecture models4.9 Reference architectures and reference models4.10 Life cycle and life history4.11 Architecting precepts5 Architecting principles5.1 Introduction to the principles5.2 Principles about the purpose of an architecture5.3 Principles about the focus of an architecture5.4 Principles about architecting outcomesTerms 3.2 Architecting concepts 3.2.1 Architecture3.2.2 Architecture feature3.2.3 Architecting3.2.4 Architecting principle3.2.5 Architecture principle3.2.6 Architecture framework3.2.7 Reference architecture3.3 Entity related concepts 3.3.1 Entity of interest3.3.2 Solution entity3.3.3 Environment3.3.4 Context3.3.5 Enterprise3.3.6 System3.3.7 Aspect3.3.8 Dimension3.4 Architecture design concepts 3.4.1 Design (noun)3.4.2 Architecture design3.4.3 Architecture information package3.4.4 Engineering effort3.4.5 Solution design3.4.6 Solution information package3.4.7 Stakeholder3.4.8 Stakeholder perspective3.4.9 Concern3.5 Architecture description concepts 3.5.1 Architecture description3.5.2 Solution description3.5.3 Architecture view3.5.4 Architecture viewpoint3.5.5 Model3.5.6 Metamodel3.5.7 Reference model3.6 Entity life cycle concepts 3.6.1 Life cycle3.6.2 Life cycle phase3.6.3 Life cycle stage3.6.4 Life historyAnnexes A.1 Architecture design and solution related entitiesA.2 Architecture expressed as a set of modelsA.3 Life cycle and life history conceptsA.4 Enterprise and system conceptsA.5 Duality of architectural decomposition and architectural synthesisB.1 BackgroundB.2 Aligning architecture in designB.3 Duality of architectureB.4 Pursuit of opportunities Home / Concepts Terms and definitions · 3 # Terms and definitions The clause fixes the vocabulary. Entries appear in systematic order, an index sits at 3.1, and the terms fall into five groups: architecting, entity related ideas, architecture design, architecture description, and the life cycle of an entity. - definition set - Clause area - ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024 - Last updated: 2026-10-21 ## What this unit settles The vocabulary is the operative part of the document for most readers. It fixes 35 terms across the five categories and gives each a definition with notes. It points to the ISO, IEC and IEEE terminology databases and to ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765 for terms outside this document. The systematic order is deliberate, following the ISO/IEC Directives, with the index provided for lookup. ## What to do in your practice Adopt the 35 terms into the firm glossary with a local example for each. Where the firm uses a different word for the same idea, record the mapping rather than maintaining two languages. Where the firm uses the same word for a different idea, treat that as a defect to fix first. ## Who it binds The organisation and the architecture practice. This unit is not a shall requirement; the claim level states what it is. ## Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for - The firm glossary mapped to the 35 terms, with a local example per term. An auditor asks whether the firm uses a stable vocabulary. - A list of local synonyms and the term they map to. Prevents two words for one idea and one word for two ideas. - The glossary owner and review date. Shows the vocabulary is governed. - A sample of descriptions checked against the glossary. Proves the glossary is used. Ask your teamWhich word does this firm use for a different idea than the document does, and what confusion has it caused? ## Common gaps this page catches - The glossary is a tool export and is not mapped to the standard vocabulary. - The same word carries different meanings in different teams. - No one owns the glossary. ## What to prepare before publication Map the firm glossary to the 35 terms. Mark synonyms, conflicts and missing terms. Assign an owner and a review date. Fix the conflicts before adding new terms. ## Common questions What does Terms and definitions mean in ISO 42024? The clause fixes the vocabulary. Entries appear in systematic order, an index sits at 3.1, and the terms fall into five groups: architecting, entity related ideas, architecture design, architecture description, and the life cycle of an entity. What evidence should we keep for 3? The firm glossary mapped to the 35 terms, with a local example per term. A list of local synonyms and the term they map to. The glossary owner and review date. ## Related units - 3.2.1 - 3.3.1 - 3.4.1 - 3.5.1 - 3.6.1 Source. ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024, Clause 3. Open the official record. Retrieved 21 October 2026. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso-iec-ieee:42024:dis:ed-1:v1:en ISO catalogue record 87510, the status, stage and page count. Claim level: definition set. The clause text is in the public preview, including all defined terms. Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Markdown version · Check your practice Source: https://iso-42024-revision-checker.theartofservice.com/clauses/terms-and-definitions/