Purpose

This specification defines the lifecycle through which engineering knowledge evolves within the AAOE Body of Knowledge. Knowledge is expected to mature through observation, validation, refinement, and generalization.

The lifecycle governs knowledge evolution rather than repository workflow.

Lifecycle Principles

Knowledge:

begins with observation
grows through evidence
is refined through repeated validation
is generalized only after sufficient confidence
remains open to future refinement

Knowledge evolution is continuous.

Knowledge Lifecycle

Engineering knowledge progresses through the following stages:

Observation
        ↓
Evidence Collection
        ↓
Case Study
        ↓
Discovery
        ↓
Validation
        ↓
Generalization
        ↓
Specification
        ↓
Operating Model
        ↓
Reference Architecture

Not every observation progresses through every stage. Some observations remain isolated. Some Discoveries never become Specifications. Progression depends upon accumulated evidence.

Lifecycle Characteristics

The lifecycle is:

iterative
evidence-driven
incremental
reversible through refinement
continuously evolving

Knowledge is never considered permanently complete.

New evidence may:

strengthen existing knowledge
refine existing knowledge
extend existing knowledge
challenge existing knowledge

Refinement preserves historical context.

Generalization

Generalization occurs only after repeated validation across multiple engineering contexts. Generalization transforms observations into reusable engineering guidance.

Traceability

Each lifecycle stage should remain traceable to previous stages. Knowledge consumers should be able to understand:

where knowledge originated
why it evolved
what evidence supports it

Lifecycle Boundaries

This specification defines the lifecycle. It does not define:

evidence requirements
acceptance criteria
governance procedures
repository versioning

These concerns are specified separately.

Future Evolution

Subsequent Governance Specifications define:

Evidence Standards
Discovery Acceptance Process
Specification Governance
Versioning
Knowledge Domains