In recent years considerable progress has been made in the characterisation of surface finish in three dimensions, and in the development of protocols which can be used for international standardisation. Although the subject as it has currently developed has much further to go if the process of surface characterisation is to impact on manufacture, control and specification of the manufacturing process itself. Researchers in this important area are beginning to realise that if the subject is to have great impact on manufacturing industries, surface characterisation must be broadened to include measures of surface integrity of the component and in addition be related to the functional demands imposed on the surface. The functional demands being a requirement of the engineering situation in which the components are employed. If these three factors are considered simultaneously, surface characterisation, surface integrity and component function, then a new and important subject is born, the subject of the Engineered Surface. Part 1 of this paper attempts to draw together the elements which go together to create the subject, 'The Engineered Surface'. The paper presents a method by which this important subject can be developed to the benefit of manufacturing industries. The paper also discusses the importance of a co-ordinated approach to the subject and the way that information can be documented to eventually provide a useful atlas of controlling parameters which are essential for a range of material processing industries as they strive to meet the ever more stringent and cost effective requirements of the manufacture.