Lifecycle Phase Revision Document - Revision 2 - Release Date 2014-12-15 - English Technical Specification

1. Document Overview

This technical document provides a formal record of the lifecycle phase and revision status for a specific component or product. The primary purpose of such documentation is to establish traceability, ensure version control, and communicate the current approved state of the technical specifications to all stakeholders, including design engineers, manufacturing teams, and quality assurance personnel. The information contained herein is critical for maintaining consistency in production, managing change orders, and supporting long-term product maintenance and support activities.

The core data presented indicates that the documented item is in the "Revision" phase of its lifecycle. This signifies that the initial design or a previous version has been reviewed, potentially tested, and formally updated. The revision number is specified as "2", denoting this as the second major iteration or update to the base documentation or product specification. The release of this revision is timestamped precisely at 09:57:27 on December 15, 2014. Furthermore, the "Expired Period" is noted as "Forever", which implies this revision does not have a predetermined obsolescence date and remains valid until superseded by a subsequent, officially released revision. This is common for foundational technical documents that define core product parameters.

2. Technical Parameter Deep Dive

While the provided PDF snippet is concise, it encapsulates several key technical and procedural parameters essential for configuration management.

2.1 Lifecycle Phase: Revision

The "LifecyclePhase" attribute is set to "Revision". In product development and documentation management, a lifecycle phase describes the current state of an item within its predefined process flow. Typical phases include Concept, Design, Prototype, Validation, Production, and Obsolescence. The "Revision" phase specifically indicates that the item is not in its initial release state. It has undergone a formal change process. This could be due to corrective actions (bug fixes), minor improvements, material substitutions, or updates to comply with new regulations. The existence of a revision phase necessitates a robust change control system to document what was altered, why, and by whom.

2.2 Revision Number: 2

The revision number "2" is a critical identifier. It provides a simple, sequential method to distinguish between different versions of the same document or product specification. Adherence to a numbering convention (e.g., starting at 1 for the first release, then 2, 3, etc.) is vital to prevent confusion. All associated documentation, bill of materials (BOM), and manufacturing instructions must reference this specific revision number to ensure the correct set of specifications is being used. Mismatches between the revision of a schematic, a component datasheet, and assembly drawings are a common source of production errors.

2.3 Release Date and Time: 2014-12-15 09:57:27.0

The release date and time are recorded with high precision, down to the second. This timestamp serves multiple purposes: it marks the official moment the revision was approved and released into the controlled documentation system; it establishes a clear baseline for when the new specifications take effect; and it is essential for auditing and investigating issues, as it allows correlation with other events in the production or supply chain. The format (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.S) is an ISO 8601-inspired format that avoids regional date interpretation ambiguities.

2.4 Expired Period: Forever

The "Expired Period: Forever" parameter indicates that this revision has no planned end-of-life date from a documentation validity perspective. It will remain the active, controlled version indefinitely until it is officially replaced by a new revision. This is distinct from a product's production lifespan. A document can be "Forever" valid, but the product it describes may eventually be discontinued. This setting is typical for specifications that define the intrinsic properties of a product. It means that for any unit of this product built to Revision 2, this document is the perpetually correct reference, even years after manufacture.

3. Grading and Classification System

Although not explicitly stated in the snippet, the concept of revision control is itself a grading system for documentation and product maturity. The progression from Revision 1 to Revision 2 represents a formal classification upgrade, signifying increased stability, validation, and authority. In a broader context, components might have additional grading within a revision (like A, B, C for minor tweaks), but the primary classification here is the major revision number.

4. Performance and Reliability Analysis

The data implies performance in terms of process and control reliability. A documented and timestamped revision process is a key indicator of a mature quality management system. The "Forever" expiration suggests confidence in the longevity and stability of the specifications defined in this revision. The reliability of the information itself is high, as it is managed through a formal release mechanism.

5. Mechanical and Documentation Handling

This is a digital document, so its "mechanical" handling refers to data management. It should be stored in a secure, version-controlled document management system (DMS) or product lifecycle management (PLM) system. Access should be controlled to prevent unauthorized alterations. The filename should ideally include the revision number (e.g., "Product_Spec_Rev2.pdf") for easy identification.

6. Integration and Application Guidelines

To correctly apply this document: First, verify that the physical component or product you are working with is intended to conform to Revision 2. This is often indicated on a product label, packaging, or silkscreen. Second, ensure all parallel documents in your project (schematics, layout files, test plans) reference this same revision. Third, when making changes to a design based on this document, initiate a formal change request if deviations are necessary, which may lead to a future Revision 3. This document is applicable in design, procurement, incoming inspection, manufacturing, and repair/refurbishment stages.

7. Packaging and Ordering Information

The document itself is the packaged information. When ordering components or products governed by this spec, the ordering code must include the revision identifier to ensure receipt of the correct version. For example, a part number might be structured as "BASE-PART-NUMBER-R2". Procurement specifications and purchase orders must explicitly state "Revision 2" or the equivalent code.

8. Design Considerations and Application Notes

Critical Application Note: The most crucial design consideration is revision synchronization. Never assume compatibility between different revisions of a core specification. Always use the complete set of documentation from the same revision release. If a system integrates multiple components, each with its own revision-controlled datasheet, maintaining a master list of all applicable revision numbers is a critical best practice to avoid integration faults.

9. Technical Comparison and Evolution

As this is Revision 2, a technical comparison would involve analyzing the differences between it and the preceding Revision 1. This typically involves a document called an "Engineering Change Order (ECO)" or "Revision History" section, which lists all changes made. These could include: updated electrical ratings, modified mechanical tolerances, new test requirements, or changed material specifications. The evolution from Rev1 to Rev2 generally aims to correct errors, improve performance, enhance reliability, or reduce cost.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use a component marked as Revision 1 with a design based on Revision 2 specs?
A: It is not recommended. You must consult the specific changes listed in the ECO for Rev2. The changes may be critical to safety or function. Always use components matching the revision specified in your active design documentation.

Q: What does "Expired Period: Forever" mean for inventory?
A: It means the documentation for Rev2 parts does not expire. However, the parts themselves may have a shelf life or the product may be discontinued. The "Forever" refers to the validity of the document, not the manufacturability of the part.

Q: How do I know if a newer revision (e.g., Rev3) exists?
A: You must check the official source of documentation, typically a manufacturer's or issuer's website or a controlled company database. Do not rely on local cached copies without verifying their currency.

11. Practical Use Case Scenario

Scenario: A manufacturing engineer is preparing the production line for a device. The bill of materials (BOM) lists "Main Controller IC, Spec Revision 2".
Action: The engineer retrieves this specific document (identified by its title and Rev2). They use it to set up the correct automated optical inspection (AOI) criteria, program the in-circuit test (ICT) fixtures with the proper voltage thresholds, and train assembly personnel on the specific orientation and handling requirements as defined in Rev2. When a batch of components arrives, the receiving inspection team verifies that the packaging and part markings indicate "Rev2" before accepting them into stock. This end-to-end traceability prevents the assembly of devices with an incompatible or older revision of the component, which could cause field failures.

12. Underlying Principles

This document is a practical application of configuration management and version control principles. Configuration management is a systems engineering process for establishing and maintaining consistency of a product's performance, functional, and physical attributes with its requirements, design, and operational information throughout its life. Version control is the method by which different iterations of a document or item are tracked. The combination of a phase (Revision), a version number (2), a release timestamp, and a validity period creates an immutable audit trail. This is fundamental in industries requiring high reliability and traceability, such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and industrial electronics.

13. Industry Trends and Developments

The trend in technical documentation is towards greater digitization, automation, and integration. While this PDF is a static snapshot, modern PLM systems often manage this data in dynamic databases. Documents are becoming "digital twins" of physical products, with revisions linked directly to design files in CAD/EDA software. The release process is increasingly automated with electronic approvals and digital signatures. Furthermore, there is a move towards machine-readable documentation (using formats like XML or JSON) to allow automated systems to directly ingest specifications for design rule checks, procurement, and test generation, reducing human error in interpreting revision details like the ones in this document.