The SFD Process methodology includes the most widely accepted sanitation-related technical terms and their definitions according to several high quality resources and papers. All the technical terms used in the SFD Process are explained in the SFD Glossary which also includes some of the commonly used local variants. However, it is recognised that there are regional variations in both technical term usage and their definitions. To keep the SFD Graphic clear and uncluttered, very few technical terms are displayed on the Graphic; instead generic terms are used to describe both the sanitation chain and service outcomes in terms of the flow and fate of excreta.
Where changes to these and other terms help local understanding, users are encouraged to highlight these changes and all other assumptions in the SFD Report.