TestOrchestrator

Cycle Lifecycle

Every cycle moves through a defined lifecycle from creation to completion. Understanding the states and transitions helps you manage delivery checkpoints effectively.

Lifecycle states

State Description Available transitions
Upcoming The cycle has been created but work has not yet begun. This is the initial state for all new cycles. Start → Active
Active Work is in progress. Test runs and explorations are being executed against this cycle. Complete → Completed
Completed The cycle is finished. It moves to the Completed tab on the listing page. Reopen → Upcoming

Starting a cycle

Click the Start button on an Upcoming cycle (from the listing page or the detail page header). A dialog asks you to confirm the start date — today’s date is pre-filled, but you can pick a different date.

Once started:

  • The cycle moves to the Active state.
  • The start date is recorded and locked — it cannot be changed afterwards.
  • The Start button is replaced by a Complete button.

Start date is permanent. Choose the date carefully. If you need to adjust it, you would need to delete and re-create the cycle.

Completing a cycle

Click the Complete button on an Active cycle. A dialog asks you to confirm the completion date — today’s date is pre-filled.

Once completed:

  • The cycle moves to the Completed state.
  • It appears on the Completed tab of the listing page instead of the Active tab.
  • The completion is reflected in the Completed tab’s analytics sidebar (on-time rate, monthly trend, type breakdown).

Reopening a cycle

Completed cycles can be reopened if work needs to resume. Click the three-dot menu on a completed cycle and select Reopen.

Reopening returns the cycle to the Upcoming state. It reappears on the Active tab and can be started again.

Parent constraint: A completed cycle cannot be reopened if its parent cycle is also completed. Reopen the parent first, then reopen the child.

Past due

Past due is not a separate lifecycle state — it is a visual indicator. An amber Past due badge appears on any cycle that:

  • Has an end date that has passed, and
  • Is not yet completed (still Upcoming or Active).

Completing or extending the end date of the cycle removes the Past due badge.

Lifecycle summary

The full lifecycle flow:

  UPCOMING  —(Start)—>  ACTIVE  —(Complete)—>  COMPLETED
     ↑                                                  |
     ←——————————(Reopen)————————————’