Which term represents fixed rules that must be followed?

The term that represents fixed rules that must be followed is "Standard." In the context of data management and information governance, a standard is a definitive set of criteria or established norms that dictate specific requirements to ensure consistency and quality in processes and practices. Standards are typically established by recognized authorities or organizations and must be adhered to in order to achieve compliance, safety, reliability, and uniformity across systems and practices.

This compliance with standards is important in an organization to maintain operational integrity, ensuring that data is handled and used correctly according to predefined rules. Standards serve as a benchmark for measuring performance and can influence policies and guidelines, but they are more rigid in nature, meaning there is less flexibility in their application compared to guidelines, which are meant to provide recommended practices but allow for some discretion in implementation.