ForewordISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations@ governmental and non-governmental@ in liaison with ISO and IEC@ also take part in the work. In the field of information technology@ ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee@ ISO/IEC JTC 1.International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives@ Part 2.The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75% of the national bodies casting a vote.Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights.ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. ISO/IEC 16085 was prepared by IEEE (as IEEE Std 1540-2001) and was adopted@ under a special ??fast-track procedure??@ by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1@ Information technology@ in parallel with its approval by national bodies of ISO and IEC.ScopeThis standard describes a process for the management of risk during software acquisition@ supply@ development@ operations@ and maintenance. It is intended that both technical and managerial personnel throughout an organization apply this standard.