1. A computer-implemented method for managing the lifecycle of a service oriented architecture (SOA) comprising: utilizing a computer to perform: defining, in accordance with requirements of an organization implementing the SOA, at least one of a plurality of lifecycle states; a. selecting a subset of a plurality of objects of the SOA for lifecycle management in accordance with the requirements of the organization implementing the SOA, wherein the subset is less than the plurality of objects; and b. assigning a lifecycle property to each member object of the subset of the plurality of objects of the SOA, wherein the lifecycle property reflects the at least one of the plurality of lifecycle states for the member object; storing the lifecycle property for each member object in a memory; and using the stored lifecycle property for a first member object to manage the lifecycle of the SOA.