Operational Lifecycle

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Discussion

An Operational Lifecycle is a specialization of Lifecycle that applies to an operational subject.

The Lifecycle identifies the Operational Lifecycle States, events, transitions, and transition conditions through which the operational subject progresses 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 Operational Lifecycle States associated with:

DefinitionCreationConfigurationValidationApprovalProvisioningInfrastructure DeploymentActivationOperationMaintenanceModificationRecoveryReplacementRetirementDecommissioningArchivingEvents cause or request transitions between Operational Lifecycle States. Applicable controls and transition conditions determine whether a transition may occur.

An Operational Lifecycle differs from a workflow:

An Operational Lifecycle describes the Operational Lifecycle States, events, transitions, and transition conditions associated with an operational subject over timeA workflow coordinates activities performed to achieve a bounded resultAn Operational Lifecycle may contain or reference multiple workflows.

Definition

lifecycle through which an operational subject progresses among defined Operational Lifecycle States 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 operational subject.

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

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

An Operational Lifecycle does not require every subject to pass through the same Operational Lifecycle States or transitions.

The applicable architecture, policies, and requirements determine:

Permitted Operational Lifecycle StatesApplicable eventsPermitted transitionsTransition conditionsResponsible actorsRequired recordsThe term does not prescribe a particular process model, workflow engine, deployment method, platform, or implementation technology.

Example

The Operational Lifecycle of an Infrastructure Environment progresses from definition to provisioning, deployment, operation, modification, and decommissioning.

A deployment event initiates a transition from a prepared Operational Lifecycle State to a deployed Operational Lifecycle State when the applicable transition conditions are satisfied.

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