Hi
The lifecycle is added if the author/user want it. It must go in "Learning Resources" > "Detailed view" > "Modify description"
But a lifecycle is never mandatory. If you want to make it mandatory, you must change the controllers to create and import resources and courses, the course wizard, the web services and enforce the use of the lifecycle...
Also you can use a left join and check null for the lifecycle.
Best Regards
Stéphane Rossé