fullcycle

Full cycle, often written as full-cycle, is a descriptor for processes or activities that cover the entire set of stages from initiation to completion. It implies end-to-end responsibility, reduced handoffs, and a single point of accountability for a project or product. The term is used across industries to signal a comprehensive, cradle-to-grave approach to a workflow or service delivery.

In software development, full-cycle development refers to teams that handle the entire lifecycle of a software product—from requirements gathering and design to coding, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. In human resources, full-cycle recruiting describes the end-to-end process of attracting, screening, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and integrating a candidate. In product management and manufacturing, full-cycle product development or production covers ideation, design, engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, distribution, and eventual phase-out or retirement.

The scope of what counts as "full cycle" varies by organization and sector; some vendors or consultancies brand themselves as providing full-cycle capabilities, offering integrated services across multiple functions. While the concept emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, governance, and continuous improvement, it is not tied to a single standardized framework and is applied with varying definitions depending on context.

In usage, "full cycle" can be used adjectivally or as a noun, and may appear hyphenated as full-cycle in formal writing. The emphasis remains on the complete span from inception to conclusion and the seamless handoffs between stages.