SharePoint Site Lifecycle Management

Why site lifecycle management matters

Inactive SharePoint sites continue to consume storage and create ownership and security risks. A lifecycle process gives owners an opportunity to confirm whether a site is still required.

Typical lifecycle process

1. Identify inactive sites.
2. Notify owners.
3. Request attestation.
4. Archive or delete where approved.
5. Monitor exceptions.

Useful controls

Use SharePoint lifecycle policies, ownership reviews, retention requirements and reporting together. Do not delete a site solely because it has low recent activity when retention or business requirements apply.