Lifecycle stages and transition rules
Decide which stages a type moves through, which moves are allowed and what each move needs.
Each asset type has an ordered list of lifecycle stages, such as In stock, In use, In maintenance and Retired. The type decides which moves are allowed between them and what each move needs.
Laptop
Edit asset type
GeneralCustom fieldsLifecycleDefaults & policy
The ordered lifecycle stages this type moves through.
In stockRequires assigneeBlock if assignedRequire reason
Can transition toIn useIn maintenanceRetired
In useRequires assigneeBlock if assignedRequire reason
Can transition toIn stockIn maintenanceRetired
In maintenanceRequires assigneeBlock if assignedRequire reason
Can transition toIn stockIn useRetired
RetiredRequires assigneeBlock if assignedRequire reason
Can transition toIn stock
Add stage
CancelSave
Set up the stages
- Open AdministrationAsset types, click the type and open Lifecycle.
- Edit a stage's name and colour, or click Add stage.
- For each stage, set Can transition to: the stages an asset may move to from here.
- Tick the guards a move into this stage needs (below).
- Click Save.
The three guards
| Guard | A move into the stage... | Otherwise you see |
|---|---|---|
| Requires assignee | needs the asset to be assigned to someone | "Assign the asset to a person first." |
| Block if assigned | needs the asset to be unassigned | "Unassign the asset before this transition." |
| Require reason | needs a reason, typed in the Change state control | "A reason is required for this transition." |
A move that is not in Can transition to is refused with "That transition is not allowed." In practice the Change state control only offers allowed moves.
Example: the Personal flow
Laptops, phones and other equipment issued to a person use this flow:
- In stock: blocks if assigned. Can go to In use, In maintenance or Retired.
- In use: requires an assignee. Can go to In stock, In maintenance or Retired.
- In maintenance: no guards. Can go to In stock, In use or Retired.
- Retired: blocks if assigned and requires a reason. Can only go back to In stock.
The other seeded flows are in Seeded asset types and lifecycle flows. Moving an asset is described in Change the lifecycle state.
Good to know
- A stage is not the same as being disposed of. A Retired asset is still in the register and can come back. Disposal and return archive the asset for good; see Dispose of or return an asset.
- If an asset's stage is not on its type's list, for example after you removed a stage, the stepper says "‹stage› is outside this type's configured lifecycle stages."
- Configurable stages need the Lifecycle configuration feature switch.
Who can do thisApplication Administrator