Open data lifecycle is one of the various models that have been developed for the description of open data. Open data lifecycle model describes the handling of the data itself, starting from its creation, through the provision of open data to its use by various parties. Although stages or phases of open data lifecycle vary within the models developed by different authors, most commonly phases include: discovery and acquisition, data organization, publication, integration, analysis, re-use and storage/preservation. The existing lifecycle models can mostly be distinguished based on the technological perspective - data curation, big data and linked data, and stakeholder perspective (publishers and users).  The open data lifecycle is preoccupied with the operational processes of open data publication (e.g. extracting, cleaning, publishing and maintaining data), while it leaves strategic processes (e.g. policy and decision making, implementation) outside the focus.

Source: Yannis, Charalabidis, Zuiderwijk, Anneke, Alexopoulos, Charalampos, Janssen, Marijn, Lampoltshammer, Thomas, Ferro, Enrico (2018). The Multiple Life Cycles of Open Data Creation and Use. In: Yannis, Charalabidis, Zuiderwijk, Anneke, Alexopoulos, Charalampos, Janssen, Marijn, Lampoltshammer, Thomas, Ferro, Enrico, The World of Open Data; Concepts, Methods, Tools and Experiences. Springer, Public Administration and Information Technology book series, pp. 11-31.