Content Lifecycle
Lifecycle states
planned: The need and scope are recorded; content is not ready for use.draft: Authored content is incomplete or has not completed review.in-review: Required reviewers are validating the page.approved: The page meets the Definition of Done and may be published for its visibility.deprecated: The page remains available temporarily but should no longer guide new work.archived: The page is retained for recordkeeping and removed from normal navigation.
Stale-page handling
A page is stale when its review date exceeds its cycle, its source has materially changed, or a verified defect calls its accuracy into question. Mark or remove stale content from customer-facing navigation until the owner validates it. Create a tracked review item and identify the accountable owner.
Deprecation process
Before deprecation:
- Confirm the decision with the owner and required reviewers.
- Identify a replacement or explain why none exists.
- Set
status: deprecated. - Add a visible notice and replacement link when applicable.
- Update navigation, related links, and search behavior.
- Define the archival date and retention requirement.
Archival process
Archive only after deprecation requirements and retention obligations are satisfied. Set status: archived, remove the page from active navigation, preserve required history, and maintain redirects when readers still use the former route.
Lifecycle changes require the same evidence-based review as content changes.