Lifecycle management system with conditional approvals and corresponding method

A computer-implemented method for managing the lifecycle of at least one computing component by a lifecycle management system, the method comprising:

• defining a lifecycle model comprising a plurality of lifecycle states that can be assigned to the at least one computing component;
• wherein the plurality of lifecycle states comprises a production state and wherein the lifecycle management system ensures that the at least one computing component can be productively used only if it is assigned the production state;
• receiving a lifecycle transition request for assigning a requested target lifecycle state of the lifecycle model to the at least one computing component;
• assigning a conditional lifecycle state to the at least one computing component that is different from the requested target lifecycle state, and specifying at least one condition that has to be fulfilled in order for the at least one computing component to be assigned the requested target lifecycle state;
• and
• automatically assigning the requested target lifecycle state to the at least one computing component when the at least one condition is fulfilled, the method further comprising:
• responding to the received lifecycle transition request by assigning the conditional lifecycle state, specifying the at least one condition, and automatically assigning the requested target lifecycle state to the at least one computing component;
• and
• storing to a registry of the lifecycle management system a representation of the lifecycle model and a description of the at least one computing component, as well as a conditional approval policy that references a transition to which the conditional approval policy is attached, an action to be performed, and possible result options, each said possible result option in turn including a state reference;
• and
• wherein the conditional lifecycle state is implemented in connection with the conditional approval policy.

A lifecycle management system for at least one computing component, comprising:

• means for defining a lifecycle model comprising a plurality of lifecycle states that can be assigned to the at least one computing component;
• wherein the plurality of lifecycle states comprises a production state, and wherein the lifecycle management system ensures that the at least one computing component can be productively used only if it is assigned the production state;
• means for receiving a lifecycle transition request for assigning a requested target lifecycle state of the lifecycle model to the at least one computing component;
• means for assigning, in response to the received lifecycle transition request, a conditional lifecycle state to the at least one computing component which is different from the requested target lifecycle state, and for specifying, in response to the received lifecycle transition request, at least one condition that has to be fulfilled in order for the at least one computing component to be assigned the requested target lifecycle state;
• and
• means for automatically assigning, in response to the received lifecycle transition request, the requested target lifecycle state to the at least one computing component when the at least one condition is fulfilled;
• registry means for storing a representation of the lifecycle model and a description of the at least one computing component, as well as a conditional approval policy that references a transition to which the conditional approval policy is attached, an action to be performed, and possible result options, each said possible result option in turn including a state reference;
• and
• wherein the conditional lifecycle state is implemented in connection with the conditional approval policy.