ISO 42024 Revision Checker
ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024 · Enterprise, systems and software, Architecture fundamentals Stage 40.99 Planning date 15 Sep 2027, an estimate 35 terms · 20 clause areas · 9 annex sections

Home / Annex A

Annex A, Notes on terms and concepts · A.3

Life cycle and life history concepts

The subclause is the third note in Annex A, on life cycle and life history concepts. It builds on life cycle (3.6.1), phase (3.6.2), stage (3.6.3) and life history (3.6.4).

  • annex section, status not stated in the public preview
  • Annex section
  • ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024
  • Last updated: 2026-10-21

What this unit settles

The note is the document's explanation of the four life cycle terms together. The terms are easy to read separately and hard to apply together. The note exists because firms routinely use phase and stage as synonyms and keep no life history.

What to do in your practice

Apply the four terms to one entity: draw the life cycle, name the typical phases, record the actual stage and write the life history. The exercise exposes whether the firm distinguishes the method from the record. Compare the life history of two entities at different stages. The comparison shows whether the practice records what happened or only what was approved. If the two records look like plans, the practice has a method and no history.

Who it binds

The architecture practice, as a note. The public preview does not state the annex status, so this page does not claim one.

Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for

  • The four part life cycle record per entity.
    An auditor can see the method and the actual history.
  • The phase and stage definitions used.
    Shows the firm uses the terms consistently.
  • The actual transitions with dates.
    Proves the record is real.
  • The retention rule.
    Keeps the record after closure.
Ask your teamDoes this firm keep a life history, or only a plan and a current status?

Common gaps this page catches

  • Phase and stage are used interchangeably.
  • No life history is kept.
  • Retention ends at project closure.

What to prepare before publication

Produce the four part record for one entity. Use it in the next post implementation review. Add the record to the template.

Common questions

What does Life cycle and life history concepts mean in ISO 42024?
The subclause is the third note in Annex A, on life cycle and life history concepts. It builds on life cycle (3.6.1), phase (3.6.2), stage (3.6.3) and life history (3.6.4).
What evidence should we keep for A.3?
The four part life cycle record per entity. The phase and stage definitions used. The actual transitions with dates.

Related units

Source. ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024, Annex A.3, published contents. Open the official record. Retrieved 21 October 2026.

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso-iec-ieee:42024:dis:ed-1:v1:en

ISO catalogue record 87510, the status, stage and page count.

Claim level: annex section, status not stated in the public preview. The annex title and subclause title are in the public preview. The body text is not public.

Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Markdown version · Check your practice