Broadly, there are four levels of standardization:
- Compatibility
- Interchangeability
- Commonality
- Reference
These levels of standardization are the starting point to formulating compatibility, similarity, measurement, as well as symbol standards. Standardization in terms of managing materials takes care of all those items having no use in an organization, which should not be bought or manufactured at all. The manufacturing or purchase of such items also outlines the procedure of standardization.
The standardization process can also be used in other fields such as statistics, test theory and supply chain management.
