The status of an object indicates the stage in its life cycle at a given time. The five main status categories are defined broadly to show the basic stages of existence. More exact phases are indicated by further subcategories underneath each main status type.

The stage describes the object at a particular time. A structure can pass from a planned proposal through construction to an existing form.

A lifecycle event is a moment or phase occurring in that history. Events can mark a change of status, but many events occur without changing the object's broad stage of existence.