What is the term for the stages a requirement progresses through from inception to retirement?

The term that best describes the stages a requirement progresses through from inception to retirement is "Requirements Life Cycle." This concept captures the entirety of a requirement's journey, encompassing all phases of its existence, including initial identification, analysis, documentation, implementation, and eventual retirement or disposal.

In this framework, various activities such as elicitation, validation, and change management play crucial roles as requirements evolve in response to stakeholder needs and project conditions. Understanding this life cycle is essential for business analysts and stakeholders, as it helps ensure that requirements are effectively managed throughout their duration, supporting successful project outcomes and alignment with business objectives.

Other terms like "Requirements Workflow" might focus more on the process aspect without conveying the complete scope from beginning to end. Similarly, "Requirements Timeline" could imply a linear view, while "Requirements Model" typically refers to representations or diagrams of requirements rather than the stages they go through. Thus, "Requirements Life Cycle" encompasses the full spectrum of a requirement's lifespan and is the most accurate term for this concept.