ProductReleaseProcess.md

Product Release Process

This is a list of the steps that are part of a comprehensive product release process. It’s based on first-hand experience in a variety of software development companies.

The order of the steps may change, steps may be added or deleted, and some steps will overlap with others.

Document the decisions & results for each step.

Identify all changes to be included

• new features & functionality
• bug fixes
• other changes, e.g. non-functional changes, incidental improvements
• documentation

• internal
• integrator
  • new installations
  • upgrades to existing installations
• end-user

Installation/update/operational requirements and procedures

Confirm all intended changes are included

Confirm no other changes are included

Identify fallback conditions and options

Set tentative target dates (block numbers) for:

• controlled release
• soft launch
• publicized launch

Identify support requirements

Identify support procedures/individuals (Rapid Response Team)

Internal tests of release candidate

• all intended changes
• regression test existing features/functionality
• Fix/Defer issues that arise

Identify test environment for initial integrators/participants

Identify initial integrators/participants (controlled release)

• Test by initial integrators
• Observe/support testers
• Fix/Defer issues that arise

Test by initial participants

• Observe/support testers
• Fix/Defer issues that arise

Prepare blog posts/press releases

Go/NoGo decision

Rapid Response Team in place

Retrospective on the Release