A method for graphically displaying lifecycle information of a governed object in a service registry in combination with the policies associated with the lifecycle states. Properties (e.g., object type, current lifecycle state) are retrieved for a governed object. Additionally, lifecycle definitions for the current lifecycle state and one or more potential future lifecycle states associated with the governed object are retrieved. Furthermore, policy definitions that apply to the object type, the current lifecycle state and one or more potential future lifecycle states are retrieved. A table is then built that correlates the retrieved lifecycle definitions with the retrieved policy definitions. A graphical representation is generated detailing the current lifecycle state, transitions to the one or more potential future lifecycle states and the policy definitions that apply to each transition for the governed object based on the built table.