A non-conformance analysis system may have an associative memory subsystem populated with information involving a plurality of entities defining different attributes of a component, with each entity being categorized under a user defined entity type, the entities and entity types forming an associative memory. A user input device may be used for enabling a user to input a query concerning the component, and to obtain information useful for managing a lifecycle of said component. An associative memory entity analytics engine in communication with the associative memory subsystem, and responsive to said user input device, searches the associative memory using the information provided in the query to retrieve entities helpful to the user in assessing the lifecycle of the component.