# 3.6.2 Life cycle phase, 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 / Glossary 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. - definition - Term - ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024 - Last updated: 2026-10-21 ## 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. Ask your teamWhich phase transition in this entity had no exit criteria, and what was accepted without evidence? ## 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 - 3.6.1 - 3.6.3 - 3.6.4 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 Source: https://iso-42024-revision-checker.theartofservice.com/glossary/life-cycle-phase/