Service definition workflow

This section describes the metaphases and subordinate phases in the life cycle of a service definition.

Search for	Example	Results
A single word	`cat`	Topics that contain the word "cat". You will also find its grammatical variations, such as "cats".
A phrase. You can specify that the search results contain a specific phrase.	`"cat food"` (quotation marks)	Topics that contain the literal phrase "cat food" and all its grammatical variations. Without the quotation marks, the query is equivalent to specifying an OR operator, which finds topics with one of the individual words instead of the phrase.

Search for	Operator	Example
Two or more words in the same topic	`AND` `and` `+` (plus symbol) `&` (ampersand)	`cat AND dog` `"cat food"+milk` `"cat food"&"dog food"`
Either word in a topic	`OR` `or` `\|` (pipe)	`cat OR dog` `cat \| dog`
Topics that do not contain a specific word or phrase	`NOT` `not` `!` (exclamation point)	`NOT cat` `! dog`
Topics that contain one string and do not contain another	`^` (caret)	`cat ^ mouse`
A combination of search types	`( )` parentheses	`cat + (dog \| mouse)` `cat \| dog + (! mouse)`

The service definition workflow relies on business rules. Rules repeat from one phase to another when the end user can make a change to a field affected by a business rule during that phase. For more information about the out-of-the-box business rules defined for the service definition workflow, see Service definition process - Business rules.

Metaphase: Planning

Includes the planning phases of a service definition.

Phase	Transition	Description
Plan	Manual	This is the starting point for the basic service definition workflow. Your plan can contain any or all of the following: Description Required resources Next phase:Build

Phase

Transition

Description

Plan

Manual

This is the starting point for the basic service definition workflow. Your plan can contain any or all of the following:

Description
Required resources

Next phase:Build

Metaphase: Construction

Includes the construction phases of the service definition.

Phase	Transition	Description
Build	Manual	The service definition is built in this phase. If the built service definition matches the design produced in the Plan phase, you can manually transition the service definition to the Operate phase, making it available to the end-user community. Alternatively, you can return to the Plan phase to adjust the service definition plan. Next phase:Operate or return to Plan

Phase

Transition

Description

Build

Manual

The service definition is built in this phase.

If the built service definition matches the design produced in the Plan phase, you can manually transition the service definition to the Operate phase, making it available to the end-user community.

Alternatively, you can return to the Plan phase to adjust the service definition plan.

Next phase:Operate or return to Plan

Metaphase: Operation

Includes the operational phases of the service definition.

Phase	Transition	Description
Operate	Manual	The service definition is operational and available to the end-user community. If there is a replacement service definition available, you can manually transition this service definition to the Decommission phase. Alternatively, if something in the service definition needs to be changed, you can manually transition it back to the Build phase. Next phase:Decommission or return to Build
Decommission	Manual	The service definition is still active but ready to be retired or replaced. Alternatively, you can manually transition the service definition back to the Operate phase. Next phase:Retired or return to Operate

Phase

Transition

Description

Operate

Manual

The service definition is operational and available to the end-user community.

If there is a replacement service definition available, you can manually transition this service definition to the Decommission phase.

Alternatively, if something in the service definition needs to be changed, you can manually transition it back to the Build phase.

Next phase:Decommission or return to Build

Decommission

Manual

The service definition is still active but ready to be retired or replaced.

Alternatively, you can manually transition the service definition back to the Operate phase.

Next phase:Retired or return to Operate

Metaphase: Final (End)

Includes the closing phases of the service definition.

Phase	Transition	Description
Retired	Manual	The service definition is no longer available. Next phase: None, or return to Plan to start the process again, or return to Decommission while waiting for a replacement

Phase

Transition

Description

Retired

Manual

The service definition is no longer available.

Next phase: None, or return to Plan to start the process again, or return to Decommission while waiting for a replacement