Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a framework for managing software components. The framework uses a framework state model with model state transitions and implements one or more interfaces. Each component implements a respective component state model that is a projection of the framework state model and one or more of the interfaces. Each component implements operations to perform state transitions supported by the component. The framework can use the interfaces to cause components to perform component operations and to provide component state information to the framework. The interfaces define methods usable to determine a current state of a component, determine available state transitions for the current state, and direct the component to perform an available state transition. The available state transitions are one or more of the allowable state transitions that are implemented by the selected component for the current state.