Operational Lifecycle

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Discussion

An Operational Lifecycle describes the progression of an operational subject through the states and activities that govern its use over time.

The operational subject may include:

An Infrastructure EnvironmentAn Infrastructure ConfigurationAn Infrastructure BlueprintA Machine ImageA deployed serviceA software componentA controlled ArtifactAn Operational Lifecycle may include activities such as:

PlanningDefinitionCreationConfigurationValidationApprovalProvisioningInfrastructure DeploymentActivationOperationMonitoringMaintenanceModificationRecoveryReplacementRetirementDecommissioningArchivingThe applicable lifecycle does not need to contain every listed activity. The governed subject and applicable requirements determine the lifecycle activities and states.

An Operational Lifecycle differs from an execution workflow:

An Operational Lifecycle describes the states and governing activities associated with a subject over timeA workflow coordinates a particular sequence of tasks performed to achieve a bounded resultAn Operational Lifecycle may contain multiple workflows, events, decisions, and state transitions.

Definition

lifecycle comprising the states and governing activities through which an operational subject progresses from introduction through retirement or decommissioning

Source

Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.

Note

The beginning and end of an Operational Lifecycle depend on the subject being governed.

For an Infrastructure Environment, the Operational Lifecycle may begin with its definition and continue through provisioning, deployment, operation, maintenance, modification, and decommissioning.

For an Artifact, the Operational Lifecycle may begin with its creation and continue through revision, approval, use, preservation, retirement, and archival disposition.

An Operational Lifecycle does not prescribe a particular process model, workflow engine, deployment method, platform, or implementation technology.

Lifecycle activities may be automated, manually performed, or divided between automated and manual controls.

Example

The Operational Lifecycle of an Infrastructure Environment includes defining its desired state, provisioning its resources, deploying required components, validating the resulting environment, operating and monitoring it, applying controlled changes, and decommissioning it when it is no longer required.

© 2026 Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.