按照【ànzhào】

按照 says an action keeps to something laid down in advance: a rule, a plan, a request, an order, a custom. The 按照 phrase goes before the verb, either at the start of the sentence or after the subject.

The nouns it takes are the ones you can follow: 规定, 计划, 要求, 顺序, 习惯, 说明书, 方法.

It also takes a measure to go by, such as age, time or speed.

按照 or 根据

按照 follows something. 根据 draws on information to reach a judgment: a forecast, a survey, someone's answer. Rules and plans can take either; a forecast or a piece of evidence takes only 根据.

• × 按照天气预报，明天会下雨 → 根据天气预报，明天会下雨

In speech 按 alone often does the same job: 按时间, 按顺序.