The Open Windows Contract Lifecycle Wheel represents the five stages of the contract lifecycle. The contract lifecycle is complex, and each stage encompasses many activites that may be performed concurrently, sequentially, or arbitrarily during the life of a contract or project. Importantly the wheel represents the repeatable cycle which begins in development and planning, and may expire on completion or renew, subject to the terms of an agreement and the will of the parties. But even when a contract is terminated the cycle goes on, perhaps with different parties. From a systems perspective it is very important to be able to build knowledge in the early stages of the lifecycle, such as sourcing, and use this knowledge as you progress to the next stage, so end-to-end systems that build this knowledge, such as Open Windows contracts-ENTERPRISE, are preferred.