The authors present a framework, called the process cycle, which can assist in supporting and controlling process maintenance. The process cycle incorporates engineering management, performance, and improvement of processes by human agents subjected to desirable goals and policy constraints. Process maintenance is supported by incorporating feedback cycles so that processes, goals, and policies can be assessed and improved. In particular the authors address the identification of the reasons why processes change, the overall process change process, and the issue of policy improvement. Furthermore, they assess the applicability of the process cycle framework by relating it to current process maintenance practices. It is pointed out that an implication of using the process cycle for process maintenance is that there is a clear logical separation of concern in the various roles played by people, tools used, activities carried out, goals, and policies specified.>