Abstract
For Design Science Research (DSR) to gain wide credence as a research paradigm in Information Systems (IS), DSR must contribute to theory. "Theory cannot be improved until we improve the theorizing process, and we cannot improve the theorizing process until we describe it more explicitly, operate it more self-consciously, and decouple it from validation more deliberately" [2 p. 516]. With the aim of improved design science theorizing, we propose Information System Design Theory (ISDT) should be viewed and analyzed through the concept of ISDT lifecycle. The nature of this lifecycle distinguishes the ISDT from other types of theories in IS discipline. Each ISDT has one lifecycle which has several waves (versions) - the relation here is one to many. A wave of DSR is a special instance of independent DSR project which may produces new ISDT or refined existed ISDT. This paper attempts to contribute to theorizing in DSR. The concept of ISDT lifecycle will contribute and help researchers to identify and crystallize the position of their theorizing contributions in DSR. The lifecycle concept provide with traceability capability which allows researchers to anticipate future theorizing contributions. The ISDT lifecycle can utilized in teaching DSR especially for novice DSR researchers.