Overview:
All FBI information technology (IT) systems in development or in operations and maintenance (O&M) are managed according to the Life Cycle Management (LCM). The LCM applies to IT systems, applications, databases, and networks from initial recognition of a need or a technology opportunity through eventual system retirement and disposal.
Although the term “life cycle” can mean different things in different contexts, the FBI’s LCM is primarily concerned with product life cycles, including project and O&M life cycles.
The LCM describes the FBI’s common approach to “cradle-to-grave” management of IT products. It is the FBI’s framework for establishing standardized, repeatable, and sustainable processes, and using best practices for system life cycle management. The LCM is organized around a basic system life cycle model and an IT governance framework including: product development, O&M processes; support processes; milestone reviews; life cycle models; a description of agile methodologies; references; an extensive glossary; and a set of documentation templates.
Application of the LCM enhances all levels of management’s ability to assure governance for IT system acquisition, to leverage technology, build institutional knowledge, and to develop projects based on industry and government best practices.
This life cycle model describes IT system phases and associated governance and program/project/product-level milestone reviews. It begins with recognition of a need or a technological opportunity (concept exploration), may progress through product development (for approved new or replacement systems), and ultimately ends with a product’s eventual retirement and disposal.
Status of Project:
The first LCM was released by the Information and Technology Branch in 2004. The LCM v4.0.1 was released in September 2008. This latest release updates sections from previous versions.
