TS 13081

TS 13081 is a standard that brings together the terms and definitions used in consultancy services for the service sector. In general technical context, consultancy services are professional services that help an organisation assess and improve issues related to management, processes, performance, environment, quality, or similar areas through external expertise. The focus of this standard is to establish a common language in this field.

Why common terminology matters in consultancy services

Consultancy work uses closely related concepts such as consultant, client, service scope, assessment, recommendation, and improvement, each with a distinct meaning. Clarifying these terms is important for preparing contracts, defining the service, aligning expectations between parties, and avoiding different interpretations of the same words across organisations. A terminology standard like this provides conceptual order rather than prescribing a specific consulting method.

What this standard covers

The standard covers the terms and definitions related to consultancy services in the service sector. In other words, it functions more like a structured vocabulary than an operational standard that mandates one particular consultancy practice. Clear and consistent understanding of terms is especially useful across different consultancy contexts such as management consultancy, quality management, environmental management, or productivity-focused work.