This Part of IEC 61968 series, is the first in a series that, taken as a whole, define interfaces for the major elements of an interface architecture for distribution management.

This International Standard identifies and establishes recommendations for standard interfaces based on an Interface Reference Model (IRM). Subsequent clauses of this standard are based on each interface identified in the IRM. This set of standards is limited to the definition of interfaces. They provide for interoperability among different computer systems, platforms, and languages. Methods and technologies used to implement functionality conforming to these interfaces are recommended in IEC 61968‑100.

As used in IEC 61968, distribution management consists of various distributed application components for the utility to manage electrical distribution networks. These capabilities include monitoring and control of equipment for power delivery, management processes to ensure system reliability, voltage management, demand-side management, outage management, work management, automated mapping, facilities management, and metering. The IRM is specified in Clause 3.