diff --git a/common/include/software.hpp b/common/include/software.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09a0b0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/include/software.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "software_update.hpp"
+
+#include <sdbusplus/async/context.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Association/Definitions/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/Activation/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/ActivationBlocksTransition/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/ActivationProgress/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/Version/aserver.hpp>
+
+#include <string>
+
+namespace phosphor::software::device
+{
+class Device;
+}
+
+namespace phosphor::software
+{
+
+// Need to declare this class to initialize the protected members of our base
+// class. This prevents "Conditional jump or move depends on uninitialised
+// value(s)" when properties are updated for the first time.
+class SoftwareActivationProgress :
+    private sdbusplus::aserver::xyz::openbmc_project::software::
+        ActivationProgress<Software>
+{
+  public:
+    SoftwareActivationProgress(sdbusplus::async::context& ctx,
+                               const char* objPath);
+
+    void setProgress(int progressArg);
+};
+
+using SoftwareActivationBlocksTransition = sdbusplus::aserver::xyz::
+    openbmc_project::software::ActivationBlocksTransition<Software>;
+
+using SoftwareVersion =
+    sdbusplus::aserver::xyz::openbmc_project::software::Version<Software>;
+using SoftwareActivation =
+    sdbusplus::aserver::xyz::openbmc_project::software::Activation<Software>;
+using SoftwareAssociationDefinitions =
+    sdbusplus::aserver::xyz::openbmc_project::association::Definitions<
+        Software>;
+
+// This represents a software version running on the device.
+class Software : private SoftwareActivation
+{
+  public:
+    Software(sdbusplus::async::context& ctx, device::Device& parent);
+
+    // Set the activation status of this software
+    // @param activation         The activation status
+    void setActivation(SoftwareActivation::Activations activation);
+
+    // Add / remove the 'ActivationBlocksTransition' dbus interface.
+    // This dbus interface is only needed during the update process.
+    // @param enabled       determines if the dbus interface should be there
+    void setActivationBlocksTransition(bool enabled);
+
+    // This should populate 'softwareUpdate'
+    // @param allowedApplyTimes        When updates to this Version can be
+    // applied
+    void enableUpdate(const std::set<RequestedApplyTimes>& allowedApplyTimes);
+
+    // This should populate 'softwareVersion'
+    // @param version      the version string
+    void setVersion(const std::string& versionStr);
+
+    // This should populate 'softwareAssociationDefinitions'
+    // @param isRunning             if the software version is currently running
+    // on the device. Otherwise the software is assumed to be activating (not
+    // yet running).
+    sdbusplus::async::task<> createInventoryAssociations(bool isRunning);
+
+    // object path of this software
+    sdbusplus::message::object_path objectPath;
+
+    // The device we are associated to, meaning this software is either running
+    // on the device, or could potentially run on that device (update).
+    device::Device& parentDevice;
+
+    // The software id
+    const std::string swid;
+
+    // This is only required during the activation of the new fw
+    // and is deleted again afterwards.
+    // This member is public since the device specific update function
+    // needs to update the progress.
+    std::unique_ptr<SoftwareActivationProgress> softwareActivationProgress =
+        nullptr;
+
+  protected:
+    // @returns        a random software id (swid) for that device
+    static std::string getRandomSoftwareId(device::Device& parent);
+
+  private:
+    Software(sdbusplus::async::context& ctx, device::Device& parent,
+             const std::string& swid);
+
+    // Dbus interface to prevent power state transition during update.
+    std::unique_ptr<SoftwareActivationBlocksTransition>
+        activationBlocksTransition = nullptr;
+
+    // The software update dbus interface is not always present.
+    // It is constructed if the software version is able to be updated.
+    // For the new software version, this interface is constructed after the
+    // update has taken effect
+    std::unique_ptr<update::SoftwareUpdate> updateIntf = nullptr;
+
+    // We do not know the software version until we parse the PLDM package.
+    // Since the Activation interface needs to be available
+    // before then, this is nullptr until we get to know the version.
+    std::unique_ptr<SoftwareVersion> version = nullptr;
+
+    // This represents our association to the inventory item in case
+    // this software is currently on the device.
+    std::unique_ptr<SoftwareAssociationDefinitions> associationDefinitions =
+        nullptr;
+
+    sdbusplus::async::context& ctx;
+
+    friend update::SoftwareUpdate;
+};
+
+}; // namespace phosphor::software