Release Preparation and planning

Release Preparation- Release Management

When Release Manager plans the entire releases and activities during the initiation, he or she always think of the release preparation, how to coordinate the release? how to implement the release? Where he will get the resource?When the testing will be done and many more facts come out during the preparation. But he or she should  always keeps few points in mind.

1.1     Gather Resources

Deployment Plan- When the Release Manager plan the release takes the confirmation from the implementation team of a particular deployment that all of the resources needed to successfully deploy the release into production can be accessed. As before, resources in this context include equipment and materials as well as the individuals or groups that will carry out the tasks and activities listed on the deployment plan.

Ensure Change Management approved- Release Manager ensures that change management is approved before roll-out. It may be possibility that change manager needs to approve multiple changes in the same releases which release manager needs to ensure.

1.2 Communication of the Releases

Advance communication was sent out- Release Manager should ensure that communication was sent out to the users, stakeholders before the release date, so that everyone should take an appropriate steps if required and also helpful for business.

Proper information in the communication-Exact information should be communicated to users, support staff, and others during the release preparation process. Information like, release plans, dates, details of where to find and sign up for training courses (if required), any pre-requisites or steps that to be followed by the users and where to obtain more detailed information about the release.

1.3     Inform Users about the Release Preparation

Release Managers will inform the users about release preparation and the tentative timelines to deliver the release in the environment. Release Manager will always ensure that the timely status update is shared with the users every time to avoid any escalations.

1.4   Train Support Teams

The Support teams should always be aware about any releases in the environment and they should be trained properly so that their skills and expertise which will be responsible for operating and maintaining a release are critical to its long-term success. For few releases, support staff and administrators already have the skills they need to perform their roles effectively; while for others, it may be appropriate to rely on their ability to develop practical experience in the field. In some cases, however, the use of training courses, workshops, or technical seminars will be necessary for developing the required skills and abilities.
For each new release, the release manager identifies the skills and abilities required to support and maintain it. Having done so, the release manager arranges for a skills gap analysis to be performed on those responsible for carrying out those tasks in order to see if there are any areas that need to be developed or enhanced through training. Note that there may be a need to enhance IT operations skills as well as skills in technical- or product-focused areas.

1.5   Deployment Schedule

Deployment schedule is the important and key factor in entire release and deployment. Release Manager should ensure the dates of deployment and its timelines are well maintained. Also, it is the duty of Release Manager to inform and update all the teams and stakeholders about the dates of the deployment.

These are few quick facts that Release Manager should ensure while preparing the releases. Please follow the upcoming article about the change or deployment preparation.