IEC 61968-1:2020 is the first part 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.