# A.3 Life cycle and life history concepts, ISO 42024 ## Published contents Contents1 Scope2 Normative references3 Terms and definitions4 Architecture concepts4.1 Overview4.2 Architecture and architecting4.3 Architecture design and solution design4.4 Architecture definition and communication4.5 Stakeholder concerns and architectural aspects4.6 Architecture viewpoints and architecture views4.7 Architecture frameworks and architecture description languages4.8 Architecture descriptions and architecture models4.9 Reference architectures and reference models4.10 Life cycle and life history4.11 Architecting precepts5 Architecting principles5.1 Introduction to the principles5.2 Principles about the purpose of an architecture5.3 Principles about the focus of an architecture5.4 Principles about architecting outcomesTerms 3.2 Architecting concepts 3.2.1 Architecture3.2.2 Architecture feature3.2.3 Architecting3.2.4 Architecting principle3.2.5 Architecture principle3.2.6 Architecture framework3.2.7 Reference architecture3.3 Entity related concepts 3.3.1 Entity of interest3.3.2 Solution entity3.3.3 Environment3.3.4 Context3.3.5 Enterprise3.3.6 System3.3.7 Aspect3.3.8 Dimension3.4 Architecture design concepts 3.4.1 Design (noun)3.4.2 Architecture design3.4.3 Architecture information package3.4.4 Engineering effort3.4.5 Solution design3.4.6 Solution information package3.4.7 Stakeholder3.4.8 Stakeholder perspective3.4.9 Concern3.5 Architecture description concepts 3.5.1 Architecture description3.5.2 Solution description3.5.3 Architecture view3.5.4 Architecture viewpoint3.5.5 Model3.5.6 Metamodel3.5.7 Reference model3.6 Entity life cycle concepts 3.6.1 Life cycle3.6.2 Life cycle phase3.6.3 Life cycle stage3.6.4 Life historyAnnexes A.1 Architecture design and solution related entitiesA.2 Architecture expressed as a set of modelsA.3 Life cycle and life history conceptsA.4 Enterprise and system conceptsA.5 Duality of architectural decomposition and architectural synthesisB.1 BackgroundB.2 Aligning architecture in designB.3 Duality of architectureB.4 Pursuit of opportunities 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 - 3.6.1 - 3.6.2 - 3.6.3 - 3.6.4 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 Source: https://iso-42024-revision-checker.theartofservice.com/annex-a/life-cycle-and-life-history-concepts/