ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief description of the typical Operational Life activities and processes in support to preserve the validated state of computer systems performing regulated operations. After deploying the computer systems to operations, the Operational Life of these systems initiates. This is the period of time that relevant processes are in place to run the computer system in its operational environment, monitored for satisfactory performance, and modified as part of corrective, adaptive, perfective, and preventive maintenance. The Operational Life is governed by two key processes: operation and maintenance. Routine use of computer systems during the Operational Life requires procedural controls that describe how to perform operational activities. These operational procedural controls must be in place and approved by the appropriate individuals. The regulated applications and infrastructure must be well-maintained during the Operational Life assuring that the systems remain in a validated state and providing cost savings to the maintenance of the computer systems.
