ASME PTCs provide uniform rules and procedures for the planning, preparation, execution, and reporting of performance test results. Test results provide numerical characteristics to the performance of equipment, systems, and plants being tested. A performance test is an engineering setup and evaluation where measurements of key parameters are taken under controlled circumstances to provide inputs to calculations. These results can be used to benchmark or ascertain performance at a particular time and can indicate how well the performance of the specified equipment compares to an established design, predicted criteria, or previous test results. Throughout ASME PTC 1, when the term "equipment" is used with reference to the object of a performance test, it can refer to specific equipment, systems, or entire plants.