Final answer:
a. Standards are sets of rules that define specifications for design, operation, materials, and performance, ensuring good quality and protocol.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is a. Standards. Standards are sets of rules that outline the specification of dimensions, design of operation, materials, and performance. These standards are crucial as they provide a basis for ensuring good quality and protocol. In the process of design, there is a need to identify both criteria and constraints. A criterion is a measurable standard used to compare different designs and determine which one better solves the design problem. Conversely, a constraint is a limitation or condition that the design must satisfy.
Standards are sets of rules that outline specifications of dimensions, design of operation, materials, and performance. They provide the basis for good quality and protocol. Standards can be thought of as a set of criteria that define the expectations and requirements for a particular product or process.