A Release is one or more components of one or more products, which are intended to be put into production at the same time.
It represents a coordinated deployment of deliverables and is structured to ensure functionality, compatibility, and value delivery as part of a planned rollout.
Key Characteristics
- Grouped Deployment – Combines multiple components or products into a single launch
- Planned and Controlled – Managed through release planning and change control processes
- Aligned to Value Delivery – Designed to deliver usable outcomes to the customer or end user
- May Contain Interim or Final Outputs – Can include partial features or complete solutions
Example Scenarios
- Releasing a set of new application features as part of a monthly software update
- Deploying a hardware component alongside its firmware and documentation
- Launching an integrated solution composed of backend services, UI changes, and reporting tools
Role in Implementation
- Supports Incremental Delivery – Enables phased introduction of capabilities
- Facilitates Integration – Ensures all components function together as expected
- Coordinates Stakeholders – Aligns development, testing, and operations for go-live
- Manages Risk – Consolidates changes to reduce disruption and improve stability
See also: Release Plan, Product Increment, Integrated Change Control, Implementation Plan, Deployment.