Technological advancements and obsolescence justify the augmentation of age dependent traditional life analysis methods with some type of time related techniques. The product life cycle is one such time related concept that can be used advantageously. Although it may appear superficial and/or simplistic, it is a versatile conceptual tool;Real actuarial data are analyzed over their life cycles. The inferences from the general observations of these studies are related to known service life analysis techniques;A generalized model for the investment life cycle is developed and tested against data from different accounts (representing five different technologies) from several companies. From this model, based on the diffusion theory, type life cycle curves have been generalized. A method for finding the required type curve is proposed and demonstrated;Investment recovery life (IRL), defined as the weighted average service life of all the vintages in an account, when applied properly results in the timely recovery of capital. From estimated IRL, equations for remaining life, and required accumulated depreciation for embedded plant are derived.