A United States
data item description (DID) is a completed document defining the data
deliverables required of a
United States Department of Defense contractor. A DID specifically defines the data content, format, and intended use of the data with a primary objective of achieving standardization objectives by the
U.S. Department of Defense. The content and format requirements for DIDs are defined within
MIL-STD-963, Data Item Descriptions (1997).