What is release management? 5 steps to success

Release management is a technique used to manage, plan, and control a software update to improve quality, speed, and efficiency. 

We’ll go over what a release management process includes in more detail and provide a checklist to help you get started with your own release plan. 

What is release management?

Release management is a technique used to manage, plan, and control a software update through different stages. The purpose of it is to improve the quality, speed, and efficiency of the software delivery. This ensures your team is prepared with the correct information at the right time, increasing the likelihood of a successful launch. 

The release management lifecycle consists of five steps, which include planning, building, testing, preparing, and deploying a software update. Each stage is important for properly organizing and executing a successful release.

What are the 5 phases of the release management process?

Have you ever wondered about the structured journey that takes a software update from concept to customer? What are the five phases of release management that ensure release activities are efficient, safe, and error-free? 

Exploring these critical steps can transform ideas into impactful software solutions.

1. Release planning

The first step to launching software is to kick off planning with stakeholders in your development team. While there are several ways you can execute this step, common initiatives include running an initial meeting, writing a business case, and creating a work breakdown structure to outline project dependencies.

Each of these tasks will help you, the release manager, execute a system development lifecycle. In the planning phase, you should also connect with operations teams and leadership to get the software build approved and ready for development. 

Here’s a release management planning checklist to use when starting this process:

• Connect with stakeholders: Create a project summary report and send it out in advance for stakeholders to review prior to your initial meeting.

• Run an initial project kickoff meeting: Outline key details about the project, including the objective and success metrics. 

• Write a business case: Explain the value of the project and the impact it will have on your organization, along with long-term benefits. 

• Create a work breakdown structure: Visualize your project by breaking down dependencies into small tasks that are easy to understand. 

• Submit software for approval: Get approval from stakeholders and make project changes before your team gets started. 

• Plan your release schedule: Map, assign, and track project tasks in order to keep the software release moving forward. 

Once you’ve completed this checklist, you’re ready for the next stage: building the software. 

2. Release building

Step two of the release process is the most time-intensive, as team members actually begin developing the software. In this stage, tasks should be assigned to stakeholders, and project information should have already been communicated. 

Once the information is clear, team members can begin building the software while simultaneously testing and improving necessary features. It’s a good idea to begin tracking any potential risks or bugs within the production environment so you’re prepared for the testing phase. 

Here’s a release management building checklist to use when starting this process:

• Assign tasks to stakeholders

• Execute project dependencies

• Document software risks using a risk register

• Use teamwork to problem solve

• Roll out new features within a production environment

• Automate initial testing

While teamwork and testing are necessary while building the software, the real testing will begin during the next phase. 

3. Release testing

Perhaps even more important than building the software, the testing phase is incredibly important in order to make sure the software is running properly and ready for launch. 

It’s helpful to have team members help identify and resolve any bugs that arise, but it’s also important to begin user testing in this step. While this will depend on how complex your software release is, user testing is an opportunity for consumers to test your software, usually in exchange for some type of reward. 

You’ll also want to perform regression testing, which involves double-checking already approved functionality to verify it’s still working correctly. 

Here’s a release management testing checklist to use when starting this process:

• Begin end user acceptance testing (UAT)

• Resolve or mitigate software risks

• Identify software bugs

• Perform regression testing

With software, testing is a large part of any release plan and can be time-consuming if numerous changes are needed. 

4. Release preparing

In the preparation stage of a software release, your team will need to finish making the necessary changes and optimizing the functionality within the staging environment. This ensures that every part of the software is working properly and ready to be pushed live. 

It’s a good idea to have a final quality assurance check, if not multiple, to ensure all functionality is working properly. This can be done by you and your team, though it’s helpful to get help from team members who aren’t involved, as they’ll be able to see the software with fresh eyes.

Here’s a release management preparation checklist to use when starting this process:

• Replicate each software scenario

• Optimize software integrations

• Solve software bugs

• Final QA

Once you have given the software a final review and it’s been approved, you can begin deploying it in a live environment. 

5. Release deployment

The final stage of a software release involves the use of deployment management. This is the process of executing the initial software idea and involves moving the functionality to a live environment. 

In order to deploy the software release, more testing is required to ensure functionality is preserved in the live environment. Once that has been completed, it’s a good idea to continuously evaluate integrations and make necessary changes to improve functionality. 

Here’s a release management deployment checklist to use when starting this process:

• Deploy in a live environment

• Test in a live environment

• Analyze key performance indicators (KPI)

• Employ continuous integrations

It’s also a good idea to close project tasks once the software is live and any needed changes to integrations have been made.

Release management vs. change management

While there are some similarities between release management and change management, the two differ quite significantly. Release management is the process of implementing a software product, while change management is the process of coordinating project or business changes using a change control process. 

Here are some other key differences:

• Release management focuses on configuring, planning, releasing, and testing a project. 

• Change management focuses on assessing, authorizing, requesting, and reviewing project changes. 

So while release management mainly focuses on tasks around planning and scheduling projects, change management focuses on coordinating changes while a plan is being carried out. 

Now that you understand what release management is and how it differs from change management, let’s look at which methodology is right for you.

Release management methods

While your software release should follow the five steps above, no matter the method you use, there are a couple of different ways you can go about executing your release. These include Agile development and waterfall development. 

While they are different, they offer a similar result. The method you use will depend on the complexity of the software itself and the size of your team. Let’s look at the features of each of these methods.

Agile development

Agile development is a project management method that involves planning a software release in small increments. These increments are often called sprints or iterations. The basic features of Agile management are:

• Creating a roadmap

• Prioritizing your product backlog

• Setting logical goals

• Breaking tasks down into smaller sprints

Agile development helps teams manage and execute a complex project like a software release more easily. It’s best suited for teams that need tasks broken down into small goals. This is usually the case with smaller teams that have large projects to tackle. 

Waterfall development

While somewhat similar to Agile development in the sense that tasks are broken up, waterfall development is organized in a linear path. This means that each task is tied to a dependency, and tasks that follow won’t be started until the previous dependency is complete. Other features of waterfall development include:

• Gathering requirements

• Planning and scheduling milestones

• Implementing the plan

• Verifying and testing

• Maintaining and improving the plan

Waterfall development is best for larger projects and tends to be more detailed, though either method should result in a successful software launch if implemented correctly. The waterfall development process is best for teams looking for phase-specific tasks. This is usually the case for larger teams that have the required resources but need an organized method of execution. 

The type of methodology that’s right for your team will depend on the size of your team and your preferred organizational style. When in doubt, try them both to find out which best fits your team’s needs. 

What are software release management tools?

Software release management tools are specialized solutions designed to automate and manage the process of deploying software releases. They help teams schedule, track, and control the movement of software releases through different stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and into production. These tools typically offer features for version control, build automation, deployment orchestration, and environment management, aiming to streamline the release process and mitigate human error.

The right tool can help your team with the following:

• Improve visibility

• Create a work breakdown structure

• Make expectations clear

• File and track bug reports

• Prioritize project changes

• Streamline communication

• Stay on schedule

All of these can not only help with a successful software release but also help to improve your overall team dynamic.

Release management process best practices

Are you facing challenges in streamlining your release management process? Are you wondering how to implement strategies that minimize risks and enhance the efficiency of your development team’s workflow?

Implementing effective release management practices is fundamental to overcoming these challenges and ensuring the safe deployment of software updates for the end user.

Establish a standardized release process

A standardized release process ensures consistency, reliability, and efficiency in the software development lifecycle. This practice involves defining a set of procedures and guidelines that govern how releases are planned, executed, and reviewed. By standardizing these steps, teams can reduce errors, manage risks more effectively, and ensure a successful release.

Example

A company might implement a standardized release process by creating detailed documentation on release planning, scheduling, deployment, and rollback procedures. This documentation is then used as a reference for all future releases to ensure that every team member understands the steps involved and the expectations for each phase of the release management process.

Implement automation where possible

Automation in release management refers to the use of software tools and systems to automate various aspects of the release process, from code integration to deployment. Automating repetitive tasks reduces the likelihood of human error, speeds up the release cycle, and reduces downtime.

Example

Consider a scenario where a software development team uses automation tools to handle code integration, real-time testing, and deployment. Once developers commit code to a version control system, automated scripts build the code, run tests, and deploy the successful builds to a staging environment. This approach not only speeds up the process but also ensures that only high-quality code is deployed.

Foster collaboration between teams

Fostering collaboration between development, operations, and other stakeholders is vital for a successful release management strategy. Effective communication and collaboration ensure that everyone is aligned on goals, timelines, and responsibilities, facilitating a smoother release process.

Example

A practical use case for fostering collaboration is organizing regular cross-functional meetings throughout the release cycle. These meetings allow teams to discuss progress, address potential issues, and make informed decisions together.

Prioritize continuous delivery and improvement

Continuous delivery in release management involves regularly reviewing and refining the release process to address inefficiencies, adapt to new challenges, and incorporate feedback from stakeholders. This practice ensures that the release process remains effective and responsive to the evolving needs of the organization and its customers.

Example

An organization might implement continuous improvement by conducting post-release reviews to gather feedback from all involved teams. This feedback is then analyzed to identify areas for improvement, such as streamlining certain steps or increasing automation, which are incorporated into future releases to strengthen the overall business process.

Plan for rollbacks

Planning for software rollbacks involves having a predefined plan to quickly revert a release in case of unforeseen issues or failures. This minimizes the downtime for both end users and the system.

Example

For instance, before deploying a new software update, a team sets up a rollback plan that includes taking snapshots of the production environment and having scripts ready to restore these snapshots if needed. In this use case, when an issue is detected after the release, the team can swiftly execute the rollback plan to be sure the system's stability and reliability are maintained.

Coordinate future releases with release management

Release management is a great process for software developers and DevOps teams to use when releasing a new software product. Not only can it help you catch new release errors in real time, but it can also ensure your IT infrastructure is ready for any updates that come your way.

Improve your IT operations one step further with a release management template. 

FAQ: Release management

What are the three categories of release management?

The three categories of release management include major releases, minor releases, and emergency fixes. Major releases introduce significant changes or new features in the software development process, while minor releases focus on incremental improvements and bug fixes. Emergency fixes, often referred to as patches, address urgent issues that cannot wait for a scheduled release.

What does a release manager do?

A release manager oversees the release management process to ensure software updates and release activities are delivered in a safe and efficient manner. Their responsibilities include planning release schedules, coordinating between development and operations teams, managing risks, and ensuring high-quality standards are met. Essentially, the release manager works closely with the product owner and scrum teams to maintain a safe and reliable test environment that allows for continuous delivery and minimal downtime.

What is ITIL release management?

ITIL release management is a framework for managing software releases within the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) guidelines. It focuses on ensuring that changes to the IT environment are implemented effectively and with minimal disruption. The process involves planning, scheduling, and controlling the movement of releases to test environments and live settings. ITL emphasizes the importance of quality assurance, testing, and high-quality product development outcomes.

Is release management part of ITSM?

Yes, release management is a key component of IT Service Management (ITSM). By managing release activities, updates, and changes to IT services, release management helps maintain service stability and reliability.