Agile Release Plan

Rapid release planning is a method of product management in which you plan the incremental release of a product. This is different from traditional software planning, where you focus on major releases.

In Agile release planning, you prepare staggered releases and then break them down into different sprints or iterations. Depending on your team structure and project size, you can even have multiple sprints running at the same time.

A sprint will end with a new product launch, but that may not mean a product release is underway. Consider writing a book - every sprint should end with a new draft. But just because you have a complete draft that your client (editor, editor, etc.) needs to review doesn't mean you're making it public.

You can create versions 1.1, 1.12, 1.14, 1.2, and more, each incorporating new features and improvements from the previous version. But you will only release the big ones (1.1 and 1.2, etc.)

Using a release plan will help you plan what incremental products (versions) will be released and when. And this is an integral part of the Agile SDLC (software development lifecycle), as it can also reassure line managers that there is a structure and plan for the next sprint, and at the same time keep individual Agile teams on track.

What is the purpose of Agile release planning?

The purpose of Agile release planning is to ensure that the product stays on track and that the right releases happen regularly.

Release planning describes immediate future releases but does not attempt to plan for the coming years, but is unique from a product roadmap (high-level scope and schedule). ) as it goes into more detail. However, an Agile release plan does not describe the work of each release. Instead, it groups iterations or sprints into releases.

Those unfamiliar with the Agile process tend to worry that each product release becomes a random set of features, but a true release plan ensures that you create a Consistent product release at all times. It's a great tool for incorporating changes that will have a significant impact on the user experience in a short amount of time. In fact, implementing Agile can help you reduce time to market by up to 70%.

When is release planning in Scrum?

Release planning happens after you have defined your product vision and roadmap. Since Scrum focuses on shorter sprints, some teams are actually working without any release plans.

Instead, they just issue product increments. This allows you to stay focused on speed and always adapt to the needs of your stakeholders.

Who is responsible for release planning in Scrum?

In Scrum, the release planning process isn't just for product managers and C suite managers. Product owners and your scrum team should be involved, too. The team may also be responsible for the plan itself depending on your business structure.

Scrum teams are often best connected to the current state of the software and all the different stakeholders, so they tend to drive decision-making. The release cycle should always be driven by the people closest to the project. Otherwise, you run the risk of creating a roadblock instead of a roadmap.

How to execute an Agile release plan?

The steps below assume that you are familiar with Agile principles and have implemented an Agile workflow in your business. If so, getting started with Agile release planning is pretty straightforward.

1) Evaluate your product vision and roadmap and determine the outcome:

Your overall product vision and product roadmap should guide the entire process. Focus on results about

2) Develop and prioritize your product backlog based on these findings:

If you use Scrum, meet with your Agile team for a product backlog screening meeting. Break down your desired results into specific user stories and add them to your backlog.

Prioritize backlogs, based on desired outcomes, starting with MVP (minimum viable product). For Agile frameworks that don't use a backlog, such as feature-driven development, consider the equivalent. In the case of FDD, it's the feature list.

3) Define a clear release goal that incorporates elements of logic from the product backlog:

Create a release goal that combines different user stories into a meaningful change in user experience. For example, the ability of users to access various analytics reports on a mobile app. If you are creating multiple reports, it is better to publish them together instead of publishing them piecemeal.

4) Break your releases into multiple sprints or iterations:

Once you have your release goals and targeted user stories, it's time to start sprint planning his real withdrawal.

The important thing to remember for this step is not to overdo or try to tackle a huge release all at once while balancing the need for a timely release - a principle of Agile development. Hitting this skill is an art that gets better with practice, so don't be afraid to adjust your release and sprint planning as you go on. That's Agile.

Start planning your agile iteration:

Agile release planning is the antidote to aimless growth. You can give stakeholders exactly what they want without inconveniencing existing customers.

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