ISO/TR 19201:2013 provides guidance for selecting appropriate vibration standards for specific machine types, and thus selecting the appropriate vibration measurement and evaluation method. Synopses are given of ISO 10816 (evaluation of machine vibration on non-rotating parts) and ISO 7919 (evaluation of machine vibration on rotating parts), together with further International Standards related to machinery.

ISO/TR 19201:2013 provides an overview of the relevant International Standards, giving a summary of their scopes. It also provides a theoretical, analytical basis for establishing whether vibration measurements should be carried out on non-rotating parts, rotating shafts or both for those machines where no previous experience exists. It is not intended to supersede established manufacturers' or users' practical experience with specific machine types since there can be specific features associated with a particular machine which lead to a different selection of the most relevant measurement procedure.

The aim of ISO/TR 19201:2013 is not to equip the reader with all the technical details provided in the International Standards necessary to carry out a measurement or evaluation task on a particular machine; rather it guides the reader to the appropriate International Standards. It is these International Standards that provide the necessary details; and then, with suitable training, the reader is in a position to carry out the measurement or evaluation task.