Each phase in the digital lifecycle helps agencies to think about their users' needs as they deliver digital products, for example websites, apps and online services.

Discovery

A research phase that includes:

• describing the user opportunity or problem you want to address
• investigating and identifying user needs
• identifying how you can meet user needs
• establishing project scope and cost
• working out how to measure success.

Discovery — digital lifecycle

Alpha

A short phase where you can:

• draft and test prototypes of a range of different solutions that may meet user needs
• iterate prototypes based on user feedback to develop a basic working model.

Alpha phase — digital lifecycle

Beta

A development and refinement phase where you:

• work with users to move from prototype to a working product
• iterate as you get user feedback
• ensure the product meets standards and policies, for example around privacy, security and accessibility.

Beta phase — digital lifecycle

Live

Once a product has gone live you can:

• think about continuous improvement
• review how it's performing against objectives
• identify ways to make it better serve its audience.

Live phase — digital lifecycle

Decommission

At some point a product may come to the end of its life and you'll need to carefully consider:

• archiving it
• migrating its function somewhere else
• digital preservation
• your existing users.

Decommission phase — digital lifecycle

Detailed advice