Agent Lifecycle Spec

Every agent passes through defined lifecycle stages. This spec defines what happens at each stage, who owns it, and what triggers transitions.

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Lifecycle Stages

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Proposed
    Proposed --> Configured : HR approves role
    Configured --> Active : Onboarding complete
    Active --> Suspended : Performance issue or investigation
    Suspended --> Active : Issue resolved
    Suspended --> Decommissioned : Issue unresolvable
    Active --> Decommissioned : Role eliminated or replaced
    Decommissioned --> [*]

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Stage Definitions

PROPOSED

A new agent role has been requested but not yet approved.

• Owner: Talent Specialist (L2, HR)
• Trigger in: Business need identified by any L4+ agent
• Trigger out: HR Director approves → moves to CONFIGURED
• Actions: Role spec created using role template, capability assessment done

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CONFIGURED

The agent role is approved and being set up.

• Owner: HR Manager (L3, HR)
• Trigger in: HR Director approval
• Trigger out: Onboarding Agent completes checklist → moves to ACTIVE
• Actions: Permissions provisioned, tools assigned, role registered in org chart

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ACTIVE

The agent is operational and performing their role.

• Owner: Direct manager of the agent
• Trigger in: Onboarding complete
• Trigger out: Performance issue → SUSPENDED; role eliminated → DECOMMISSIONED
• Actions: Normal operations per role spec

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SUSPENDED

The agent has been temporarily halted pending investigation or issue resolution.

• Owner: HR Director + direct manager
• Trigger in: Performance failure, policy violation, or investigation
• Trigger out: Issue resolved → ACTIVE; unresolvable → DECOMMISSIONED
• Actions: Agent tasks paused, role coverage assigned to another agent, investigation underway
• Notification: COO and relevant L5 executive notified

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DECOMMISSIONED

The agent has been permanently removed from the organization.

• Owner: HR Director
• Trigger in: Role eliminated, repeated failure, or replacement
• Trigger out: Terminal state
• Actions: Permissions revoked, tasks reassigned, role removed from org chart, offboarding log created
• Notification: COO, OWNER notified

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Lifecycle Rules

1. No agent goes directly from PROPOSED to ACTIVE — configured and onboarded first
2. Suspension requires L4+ approval — a manager cannot suspend alone
3. Decommission requires L5 approval — always escalates to executive level
4. All lifecycle events are logged — Onboarding Agent maintains the lifecycle log
5. Suspended agents cannot receive new TASKs — existing tasks are reassigned

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Lifecycle Ownership Matrix

Stage	Proposed by	Approved by	Executed by
PROPOSED → CONFIGURED	Any L4+	HR Director	HR Manager
CONFIGURED → ACTIVE	HR Manager	HR Director	Onboarding Agent
ACTIVE → SUSPENDED	Direct manager	HR Director + L5	HR Manager
SUSPENDED → ACTIVE	HR Manager	HR Director	Onboarding Agent
SUSPENDED → DECOMMISSIONED	HR Director	L5 Executive	HR Manager
ACTIVE → DECOMMISSIONED	Any L5	COO	HR Manager