An increasing number of international, national and industry standards describe process models. These models are developed for a range of purposes including process implementation and assessment. The terms and descriptions used in such models vary in format, content and level of prescription. ISO/IEC TR 24774:2010 presents guidelines for the elements used most frequently in describing a process: the title, purpose, outcomes, activities, task and information item. Whilst the primary purpose of ISO/IEC TR 24774:2010 is to encourage consistency in standard process reference models, the guidelines it provides can be applied to any process model developed for any purpose.

This Technical Report provides guidelines for the description of processes by identifying descriptive elements and rules for their formulation. It characterizes the following elements of process description: - Title; - Purpose; - Outcomes; - Activities; - Tasks; - Information items. In addition process views are described. It does not describe how processes are composed or otherwise aggregated into larger frameworks or architectures.

ISO/IEC standards generally do not include a statement of purpose. This guide will not have a purpose statement.