The 7 phases of software development: From concept to code

Any successful software, from the simple weather app to the complex business platform, runs through a structured development process. This proven approach, known as the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) or software development life cycle, divides a complex project into seven manageable and logical successive phases. A deep understanding of these phases is crucial to anyone who plans, manages or participates in [software project](/services/software development).

In this article we guide you in detail through each of the seven phases and show how a functioning and value-making software solution is created from a first idea.

This article is part of our comprehensive guide: The ultimate guide to [software development](/services/software development) 2026.

Overview of the software development life cycle

The SDLC provides a systematic framework to control the development, deployment and maintenance of software. It ensures that quality standards are complied with, budgets are not exceeded and timetables are met. Even if the implementation varies according to the chosen development method – such as Agile or Waterfall – the core tasks of each phase remain.

Phase 1: Requirements Analysis

The journey of each software begins with an idea, but only the request analysis transforms this idea into a concrete goal. In this crucial first phase, it is about understanding and documenting the exact requirements of the software.

What happens here? Workshops and interviews are conducted with all relevant Stakeholders (e.g. customers, future users, specialist experts). The goal is to do all functional (What should the software do?) and non-functional (How fast, safe and user-friendly should it be?) to collect requirements.

• Result: A detailed Lastenheft or a request specification that serves as the basis for all further phases.

phase 2: Planning

With the collected requirements in hand, the planning phase begins. Here the schedule for the entire project is created. A lack of careful planning is one of the most common reasons for failure of software projects.

What happens here? Project managers define the project scope, estimate the effort, create schedules, assign resources and calculate the costs of the software project. Risk analysis is also an important part of this phase.

• Result: A comprehensive Project Plan, which sets milestones, budgets and responsibilities.

Phase 3: Design and Design

In the design phase the construction plan of the software is created. The developers and architects translate the abstract requirements into a concrete technical concept.

What happens here? This phase includes several design levels:

• Architecture design: