Software Development Life Cycle

This guide uses seven common phases to make software work, decisions, and evidence easier to share. Teams move back and forth as they learn. It is a map, not a fixed process.

Explore the phases, templates, and examples in the Guides.

ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207:2026 says life cycle processes can be applied concurrently, iteratively, and recursively.

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Planning

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Lifecycle phases

RequirementsLearn who needs what and why it matters now.No document guides yet.
PlanningTurn evidence into a shared product plan.PRD
DesignShape the experience and record durable decisions.RFC ADR
ImplementationBuild the agreed change in safe, reviewable steps.No document guides yet.
TestingCheck behaviour, quality, and risk.No document guides yet.
DeploymentMake the change available safely.No document guides yet.
MaintenanceRun, support, and improve the service. Feed what you learn back.No document guides yet.

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Software Development Life Cycle

Software development lifecycle

Planning