What is the first step in the normal flow of a user lifecycle in Okta?

The first step in the normal flow of a user lifecycle in Okta involves importing users into the Okta User Directory (UD). This is a critical phase as it establishes the foundation for user account management within the platform. By importing users, organizations can create a centralized user database that allows for better control over user identities and access permissions. This step typically involves gathering user information from external sources, such as Active Directory or CSV files, and populating it into Okta, making it easier to manage accounts and their lifecycle stages from that point forward.

Once users are successfully imported into the directory, subsequent processes such as updating existing users, assigning groups, and managing account statuses can take place. These actions depend on having a well-defined list of users already established in the system. Without the initial import, there would be no user data to manipulate or manage, making this the logical starting point in the user lifecycle process within Okta.