lifecycle

title	AI-Assisted Project Lifecycle Overview
description	Navigate the full AI-assisted engineering lifecycle from setup through operations with HVE Core tooling
sidebar_position	1
author	Microsoft
ms.date	2026-10-02
ms.topic	concept
keywords	ai-assisted project lifecycle lifecycle stages workflow AI-assisted engineering
estimated_reading_time	8

Overview

HVE Core supports a 9-stage project lifecycle, from initial setup through ongoing operations, with AI-assisted tooling at each stage. Every stage maps to specific agents, instructions, and skills that accelerate your work and reduce friction. Use this guide to navigate the full lifecycle and find the right tools for your current project phase.

Stage Overview

Stage	Name	Key Tools	Guide
Stage 1	Setup	hve-core-installer (skill), git-setup	Setup
Stage 2	Discovery	rpi-research, brd-builder, security-planner, sssc-planner, rai-planner	Discovery
Stage 3	Product Definition	prd-builder, requirements-author skill, adr-creation, security-planner, sssc-planner, rai-planner	Product Definition
Stage 4	Decomposition	functional-planner, backlog-manager	Decomposition
Stage 5	Sprint Planning	backlog-manager, backlog-management	Sprint Planning
Stage 6	Implementation	RPI Agent, rpi-plan, rpi-implement, hve-builder	Implementation
Stage 7	Review	rpi-review, code-review, hve-builder	Review
Stage 8	Delivery	git-merge, backlog-management	Delivery
Stage 9	Operations	documentation, hve-builder, incident-response	Operations

Where Are You?

Use this navigator to jump directly to the stage matching your current need.

I want to...	Start Here
Set up HVE Core for the first time	Stage 1: Setup
Understand requirements or research a topic	Stage 2: Discovery
Create a product spec or architecture decision	Stage 3: Product Definition
Break work into tasks or work items	Stage 4: Decomposition
Plan a sprint or manage my backlog	Stage 5: Sprint Planning
Write code, build features, or create content	Stage 6: Implementation
Review code or get PR feedback	Stage 7: Review
Merge, release, or deploy	Stage 8: Delivery
Monitor, maintain, or respond to incidents	Stage 9: Operations

Lifecycle Flow

flowchart LR
  accTitle: Project Lifecycle Flow and Feedback Loops
  accDescr: Nine stages progress from setup through operations, with feedback from review, delivery, and operations returning work to implementation.
    S1["Setup"] --> S2["Discovery"]
    S2 --> S3["Product Definition"]
    S3 --> S4["Decomposition"]
    S4 --> S5["Sprint Planning"]
    S5 --> S6["Implementation"]
    S6 --> S7["Review"]
    S7 --> S8["Delivery"]
    S8 --> S9["Operations"]
    S7 -.->|"rework"| S6
    S8 -.->|"next sprint"| S6
    S9 -.->|"hotfix"| S6

Loading

Tip

Design Thinking can feed into this lifecycle at three exit points. See the DT-RPI integration guide for details.

Stage Transition Rules

1. Design Thinking Exit 1 to Stage 2: Problem statement complete (Methods 1-3) feeds rpi-research in Discovery
2. Design Thinking Exit 2 to Stage 2: Validated concept (Methods 4-6) feeds rpi-research in Discovery
3. Design Thinking Exit 3 to Stage 2: Implementation spec (Methods 7-9) feeds rpi-research in Discovery
4. Stage 1 to Stage 2: Installation complete
5. Stage 2 to Stage 3: BRD complete, handoff at docs/project-planning/
6. Stage 2 to Stage 4: TPMs skip PRD when BRD is sufficient
7. Stage 3 to Stage 4: PRD and ADRs finalized
8. Stage 4 to Stage 5: Work items created
9. Stage 5 to Stage 6: Sprint planned
10. Stage 6 to Stage 7: Implementation complete, /clear context
11. Stage 7 to Stage 8: PR approved
12. Stage 7 to Stage 6: Rework needed
13. Stage 8 to Stage 6: Next sprint
14. Stage 8 to Stage 9: Final sprint complete
15. Stage 9 to Stage 6: Hotfix needed

Coverage Notes

Implementation has the broadest tooling surface because it combines RPI, language standards, AI-artifact authoring, data science, and infrastructure work. Delivery relies mainly on skills and auto-applied instructions, while Setup remains intentionally narrow.

Each stage page follows a consistent structure covering purpose, key activities, AI-assisted workflow, and cross-references. This format lets you navigate directly to the stage relevant to your current work and find both manual checklists and current workflow entry points.

Next Steps

Tip

Find your role-specific guide at Role Guides to see which stages matter most for your work.

🤖 Crafted with precision by ✨Copilot following brilliant human instruction, then carefully refined by our team of discerning human reviewers.