Entity life cycle concepts · 3.6.2
Life cycle phase
A focused group of activities, pitched at some level of abstraction, that develops and evolves an entity across its life cycle. Actual phases are instances of typical phases when implemented in time, often repeatedly.
What this term settles
A phase is a type of activity, not a date. The definition separates the typical phase from the instance, which is what lets a firm compare projects: two programmes can both have a design phase without sharing a calendar. It also allows phases to repeat, which is normal in evolutionary delivery.
What to do in your practice
Define the typical phases once for the practice. For each entity, record the actual phase instances, their dates and the entry and exit criteria. The instance record is the evidence; the typical phase is the method.
Who it binds
The role that owns the practice area the term governs. A definition binds nobody on its own; it binds the reader who adopts the term in a method, a description or a contract.
Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for
- The phase model with entry and exit criteria.An auditor asks what governed the transition between phases.
- The actual phase instances with dates.Shows the method was applied in practice.
- A record of repeated phases and why.Explains iterative delivery without treating it as deviation.
- The owner of each transition.Makes the phase gate accountable.
Common gaps this page catches
- Phases exist only as a project plan, with no entry and exit criteria.
- Repeated phases are treated as failure rather than as normal iteration.
- No one records the actual instances, so the method cannot be evidenced.
What to prepare before publication
Write the phase model with entry and exit criteria. Apply it to one live entity and record the actual instances. Compare the two and fix the criteria that were unworkable.
Common questions
- What does Life cycle phase mean in ISO 42024?
- A focused group of activities, pitched at some level of abstraction, that develops and evolves an entity across its life cycle. Actual phases are instances of typical phases when implemented in time, often repeatedly.
- What evidence should we keep for 3.6.2?
- The phase model with entry and exit criteria. The actual phase instances with dates. A record of repeated phases and why.
Related units
Source. ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024, Clause 3.6.2, Terms and definitions. 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: definition. The definition is in the public preview. This page states it in our own words and does not reproduce the text.
Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Markdown version · Check your practice