1. A non-conformance analysis system, comprising: an associative memory subsystem populated with information involving a plurality of entities defining different attributes of a component, with each said entity being categorized under a user defined entity type, the entities and entity types forming an associative memory; a user input device for enabling a user to input a query concerning said component to obtain information useful for managing a lifecycle of said component; and an associative memory entity analytics engine in communication with said associative memory subsystem, and responsive to said user input device, that searches said associative memory using said information provided in said query to retrieve entities helpful to the user in assessing said lifecycle of said component.