What does the term "document lifecycle" mean?

The term "document lifecycle" refers to the series of stages a document undergoes from creation to disposal. This encompasses the entire process in which a document is conceptualized, developed, reviewed, approved, published, and eventually archived or deleted. Understanding the document lifecycle is crucial for effective document management and ensures that all necessary steps are taken to maintain the document’s relevance, accuracy, and compliance with applicable standards throughout its existence.

By recognizing each phase of the lifecycle, organizations can implement proper practices for collaboration, feedback, revisions, and archiving, thereby improving efficiency and accountability in their documentation processes.