product life cycle:
"The processes, costs and revenues associated with a product from its initial creation to its abandonment, and often categorized by the stages of introduction, growth, maturity and decline. Identifying the product life cycle stage is a key factor in the determination of facility and support investment, marketing efforts, and required reporting measurements and controls. (product life cycle , 1) The stages a new product goes through from beginning to end, i.e., the stages that a product passes through from introduction through growth, maturity, and decline. 2) The time from initial research and development to the time at which sales and support of the product to customers are withdrawn. 3) The period of time during which a product can be produced and marketed profitably.)"
