A life cycle describes the linked, process steps of a product or service system, from resource extraction, to material processing, manufacturing, assembly, packaging and distribution, retail, use and eventual disposal. A life cycle report strives to be comprehensive and complete, that is, to include all processes of a given product/service system that occur over time.

The structure, contents and format of a life cycle report are defined by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. There are different types of life cycle reports [reference, benchmark, comparison, streamlined, full], ranging from qualitative to quantitative assessments of environmental consequences. To meet this Criterion, a project document [design brief, strategic or planning document] must include at a minimum, a description of the product/service system life cycle and the potential environmental impacts. Whenever possible, the life cycle study or analysis should be attached to the project document.

A life cycle report of a product/service system identifies process steps [and the materials and energy], that flow through those steps and potentially impact the environment. In a qualified life cycle study, the impacts are evaluated but not numerically measured or quantified. In a quantitative life cycle analysis, the impacts are computed according to complex equations and are almost always conducted using proprietary software programs. They may be referred to as a life cycle assessment or a life cycle analysis, or simply by the acronym LCA.

ISO has developed a standard for conducting and reporting life cycle research. The study is based on a stated scope [study boundaries] and functional unit [unit of service of the product/service system], and usually includes a diagram of the overall system structure [process tree].The report includes an inventory of material and energy inputs and outputs [inventory matrix] for each process step of the product/service system. The potential environmental impacts of the process-specific inventory matrix are assessed and interpreted [impact matrix].
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref1019

ISO’s catalogue of LCA standards