This document summarizes the guidelines from an international expert panel on the management of severe sepsis and septic shock. It was updated from 2008 guidelines. A 68-member expert panel representing 30 organizations developed the guidelines through a consensus process including subgroup meetings and teleconferences. Key recommendations include early quantitative resuscitation, blood cultures before antibiotics, source control within 12 hours, vasopressors like norepinephrine as first choice, low tidal volume ventilation for ARDS, DVT prophylaxis, and addressing goals of care within 72 hours of admission. The guidelines were developed independently without industry funding using the GRADE system to assess evidence quality and strength of recommendations.