> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://abracadabra-ft.gitbook.io/community-development/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://abracadabra-ft.gitbook.io/community-development/key-activities/community-lifecycle.md).

# Community Lifecycle

Iriberri and Leroy (2009) did not invent the community lifecycle, but they were the first to review thousands of academic articles on community development and lay out a clear set of stages.

![](https://3477496358-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M0rrrtwIvFxPMVlmmBD%2F-M0ybPS_8mmWcViJSPF7%2F-M0ycHu5KPTADNAQR1q9%2FScreen%20Shot%202020-01-29%20at%2010.51.29%20AM.png?alt=media\&token=50e18380-104f-4202-a405-7788b56c816d)

Each stage is separated from the next by growth, activity, and the sense of community.

![](https://3477496358-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M0rrrtwIvFxPMVlmmBD%2F-M0ybPS_8mmWcViJSPF7%2F-M0ycTCVxpRpHw6i6y0i%2FScreen%20Shot%202020-01-29%20at%2010.51.50%20AM.png?alt=media\&token=d3785d73-ce4b-44d6-a799-b9506247f96e)