The 7 phases of software development

The team from SSI Germany knows exactly which customer needs which software service. Depending on which phase the company is in, we offer individually tailored concepts and advice.

There are 7 phases of software development. Each one can be understood as a reflection of the company. It states where the company currently stands, how far it has already been developed and which phase or phases are pending in further development. Our customers are themselves software companies with their own software products or companies that require individual software. By knowing and understanding their needs at all times, we are able to serve them precisely. This helps the companies supported by SSI to take the necessary steps in the development process at the right pace.

What phases of software development are there?

Development of a software company from idea to established provider comprises various phases that are characterized by numerous challenges. With more than 30 years of experience in software development, SSI Group is able to provide individual support to its customers. In doing so, we take into account specific aspects such as deficiencies (in our clients' current solutions), scarcity of resources, cost pressure, technical debts, migration obligations (e.g. due to discontinuation of technologies) and the need for innovation (customer expectations). Depending on which phase of software development the company is in, there are specific approaches to how a company can optimally benefit from the support of SSI experts.

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Phase 1: The idea and concept phase

‍‍or: “You've got an idea, we've got the solution.”

In this early phase of software development, the challenges are primarily conceptual. Technological competencies and resources are not yet critical as development activities are limited. Inexperienced founders are often looking for “support” and someone who “minimizes their risk.” As part of our full software services model, we offer these customers the opportunity to create an individual “software concept”.

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Phase 2: The start-up and start-up phase

or:”Are you developing software? With us, you'll get to your destination faster.“

The second phase of software development can make the lack of technological skills visible. The search for the first investors is ongoing, but the necessary expertise is often lacking, especially in technologies that are new or very specialized. SSI sees itself as part of product development and provides support here with international software expertise. Not only to close technological gaps, but also to enable a cost-effective start of development work with qualified but cheaper developers.

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Phase 3: The early growth phase

or: “Do you need the right developers? We have your successful team.”

With the first customers and products, the pressure to deliver and scale quickly increases. This phase of software development can lead to an accumulation of technical debt as development takes place quickly — often at the expense of long-term maintainability and scalability of the software. With Software Development as a Service, SSI relieves pressure in this phase of software development. We provide individual software development teams in a subscription model that both write high-quality code and effectively manage technical debts.

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Phase 4: The expansion and scaling phase

or: “You need more developers who build innovative software solutions for you in a highly professional way. ”

Anyone who has made it to the fourth phase of software development is far from reaching their goal. The company is successful, but it must continue to grow. This is often done by migrating existing systems to more modern platforms or by integrating new technologies. The demand for SSI services is particularly high here, as the introduction of new software technologies must be managed without delays and with minimal operational interruptions. At the same time, it is important to implement the complexity of migrations, i.e. the transition from existing to new solutions, cost-effectively.

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Phase 5: The maturation phase

or: “You need to inspire your customers and bring your team along. ”

In this phase of software development, the company is faced with the challenge of maintaining its market position and continuing to innovate without disrupting existing business processes. Cooperation with SSI can be decisive here to carry out innovation projects while leaving core business unaffected. Here, SSI Group provides customers with the necessary flexibility to research new technologies and implement them on equal footing with employees.

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Phase 6: The renewal or exit phase

‍or: “Your software creates value that you not only need to maintain, but also want to continuously expand and improve. ”

The sixth phase of software development is actually a luxury problem. The company must reinvent itself — or prepare for a sale. This often requires extensive technological overhauls and optimizations. Either way, SSI can generate particularly valuable so-called industrial property rights (IP) in this phase in order to update clients' software and thus increase the company value. The customer receives all transferable rights to the source code.

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Phase 7: The operational phase

‍or: “You and your development team must focus on new innovative software technologies. ”

Seventh and final phase of software development: After a software product has been developed and brought to market, the operating phase follows. The focus here is on ongoing management, software maintenance, worldwide deployment and adaptation to customer-specific requirements. In this phase, it is crucial that the software functions reliably and that the service level agreements (SLAs) are met. To ensure this, SSI relies, among other things, on the use of AI in software development. SSI can also deploy our clients' software solutions worldwide and ensure their smooth operation. This includes implementing updates and patches, monitoring systems to ensure availability, and managing backup and recovery processes.

SSI also helps carry out customer-specific adjustments and integrations during this phase of software development to ensure that the software solutions always meet the changing requirements and wishes of end users. Compliance with SLAs is particularly important to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction and business continuity. SSI's support during the operational phase enables the company to focus on its core business, while SSI takes care of the technical aspects. This results in higher efficiency, improved service quality and greater adaptability to market changes.

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Conclusion: Regardless of which phases of software development your company has already gone through, or has ahead of it: SSI will work with you on the journey from idea to success.