# 4.10 Life cycle and life history, 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 / Concepts Architecture concepts · 4.10 # Life cycle and life history The subclause addresses the life cycle and life history of an entity. It builds on life cycle (3.6.1), life cycle phase (3.6.2), life cycle stage (3.6.3) and life history (3.6.4). - concept, not an obligation - Clause area - ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024 - Last updated: 2026-10-21 ## What this unit settles The four terms give a firm a way to separate the method from the record. Phase and stage are types; life history is what actually happened. That separation is what makes portfolio reporting honest and post implementation review possible. ## What to do in your practice Draw the life cycle model, define the phase and stage types, then keep the actual life history per entity. Record stage transitions with the milestone that justified them. Use the history for scenarios and for retirement. Use the life history in the post implementation review to compare what was planned with what occurred. The comparison is the most credible evidence a practice can produce, because it is drawn from records rather than recollection. Keep it short: the phases, the dates, the decisions and the reasons for the differences. ## Who it binds The organisation and the architecture practice. This unit is not a shall requirement; the claim level states what it is. ## Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for - The life cycle model and the entity life history record. An auditor asks what happened, not only what was planned. - The stage transition records with milestones. Shows transitions were earned. - The scenario record for future histories. Shows planning considered alternatives. - The retirement record. Closes the life history. Ask your teamWhere is the life history of this entity kept, and does it survive the project that built it? ## Common gaps this page catches - Only the plan is kept. - Stage transitions have no milestone evidence. - The history is lost at project closure. ## What to prepare before publication Start the life history record for the top ten entities. Record the last transition and its milestone. Add the record to the retirement checklist. ## Common questions What does Life cycle and life history mean in ISO 42024? The subclause addresses the life cycle and life history of an entity. It builds on life cycle (3.6.1), life cycle phase (3.6.2), life cycle stage (3.6.3) and life history (3.6.4). What evidence should we keep for 4.10? The life cycle model and the entity life history record. The stage transition records with milestones. The scenario record for future histories. ## Related units - 3.6.1 - 3.6.2 - 3.6.3 - 3.6.4 Source. ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024, Clause 4.10. 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: concept, not an obligation. The subclause title is 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/clauses/life-cycle-and-life-history/