5.3.2. Defining the Project

A terminology standardization project evolves through a management process that begins by defining the essential aspects of the project, the context, and the criteria upon which the project was established. The overall description of the project should be summarized in a specifications document.

This document should specify the purpose and objectives of the project, the users and their needs, and the language policies and dissemination decisions that will guide the project. The legal, financial and organizational framework of the project should provide the context in which the project will be carried out. The following are some of the questions that should be answered in the framework:

• Who owns the information? Who has the right to sell it? Who can access it?
• Who will finance the project? What are the terms and conditions of the financing? How much money is involved?
• Who will participate? What are the conditions of participation? Who is responsible for the research? Who is responsible for making decisions?

It is also important to document the reasoning that lead to the creation and acceptance of the project.