# Enterprise life cycle ## Links (Wikipedia order) <!-- injected from _registry/childlinks/Enterprise_life_cycle.json (2026-07-30T02:09:12Z) --> `Business` · `Business_analysis` · [[Business_process]] · `Chief_information_officer` · `Disposition` · `Enterprise_architecture` · `Enterprise_architecture_planning` · `Enterprise_engineering` · `Enterprise_integration` · `François_Vernadat` · `Information_security_management` · `Information_technology` · `Operational_View` · `Organizational_life_cycle` · `Peter_Bernus` · `Return_on_investment` · `Service-oriented_modeling` · `Software_maintenance` · [[Synchronization]] · `Systems_development_life_cycle` · [[Systems_engineering]] · `Technology` · `Technology_life_cycle` · [[Wayback_Machine]] · `Whole-life_cost` ## From the Real GENERATIVE library  *Enterprise life cycle — placed from the Real G.E.N.E.R.A.T.I.V.E. course library (Engineering room). Source: Wikimedia Commons (via Wikipedia article media). [Details & license](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enterprise_Life_Cycle.jpg).* > Enterprise life cycle (ELC) in enterprise architecture is the dynamic, iterative process of changing the enterprise over time by incorporating new business processes, new technology, and new capabilities, as well as maintenance, disposition and disposal of existing elements of the enterprise.[1] ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_life_cycle)) <!-- REAL-GENERATIVE-MEDIA:END --> > Summary stub · part of Systems Engineering · [Wikipedia source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_life_cycle) ## Summary The enterprise life cycle (ELC) is a key concept in enterprise [[Architecture|architecture]], enterprise [[Engineering|engineering]], and systems engineering describing the iterative process of changing an enterprise over time. It encompasses introducing new business processes, technologies, and capabilities, as well as maintaining, retiring, and disposing of existing elements. The ELC governs enterprise-wide planning and [[Decision-making|decision-making]], including investment management, [[Configuration_management|configuration management]], and accountability. It is broader than a [[System|system]] development lifecycle, which addresses individual systems rather than the whole enterprise. ## Key points - A core concept in enterprise architecture and engineering - Iterative process of evolving the enterprise over time - Covers introduction, maintenance, and disposal of capabilities - Governs investment, configuration management, and accountability - Broader in scope than a single system development lifecycle ## Relation to Systems Engineering The enterprise life cycle situates systems engineering within the larger organizational context, coordinating many systems and processes as the enterprise evolves. ## Sources - [Enterprise life cycle — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_life_cycle) Back to Systems Engineering --- <!-- SEMIOTIC-PROFILE:START --> ## Semiotic profile > *The semiotic universals this article invokes, machine-derived from the crossref — **unverified** (born so). Populated 2026-07-06 for the Systems room.* **Universals (3):** 🟡 system (12) · 🟡 architecture (3) · 🟢 iteration (2) **Enter by sign:** Systems Semiotic Gateway · Alphabetum · Icon Registry · ← Systems Portal <!-- SEMIOTIC-PROFILE:END --> <!-- REAL-GENERATIVE-MEDIA:START --> ## Wikipedia : Wikitube **Strict pair:** [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_life_cycle) : [Wikitube](https://en.wikitube.io/wiki/Enterprise_life_cycle) ## Previous hub tags Tree parent: [[Systems_engineering]]. Legacy hubs: none. --- *Sources: 1 legacy note. Minted wave 1, 2026-07-30 (v1.6 order).*