Optimising Your Release Management Process

The entire software delivery lifecycle is geared towards the eventual launch of software at scale. It takes a lot of investment, support and hard work to successfully release a software, as well as the updates that follow afterwards. This is especially true when you consider the fact that the program has to be implemented across multiple business departments and areas.

Software development projects typically use the agile management method, which has been dubbed the “world’s most popular innovation engine”. This method enables continuous improvement, by using short development cycles called “sprints”. After a sprint, the product is released. Feedback and improvements are collected and then another sprint begins, with developers making relevant changes. Each release results in a working final product. It’s a fast-paced method, characterised by constant change, in order to generate the most dynamic, innovative functionalities with each release. Effective release management is vital to a successful launch.

Intelligent and considered release management practices have a profound impact. 75% of business software issues are the result of changes made to the software, and a lack of documented release management is one of the primary causes of that. Procedure and organisation around this process is incredibly valuable, and it also enhances the user’s experience of the program.

The benefits of agile, regular software updates are well-documented. It’s a process which certainly creates a lot of value for the end-users and the developers themselves. This is because:

• The software is continuously improving. Errors or areas for improvement can be addressed quickly and efficiently.
• It’s an interactive experience. Users give feedback and participate in the development and adaptation of the tool, imbuing the software with real value.
• Changes are incremental, so it is easy for users to learn and adapt.
• Processes are not fixed and can regularly be updated to match any change in the ways of working. The software is dynamic and calibrated towards delivering optimal performance in response to specific requirements.

What happens if it goes wrong? Well, disgruntled users, errors and downtime. It’s a manager’s nightmare. Employees unable to complete their work because the software they rely on simply isn’t working. It is important that the software release process runs smoothly because this is the point where the user finally begins to use the software. It’s the user’s experience of what the development team have been working on the last few weeks.

When managing the release of any software or product, there are a few tips and hints which we think are particularly important for ensuring efficiency. Check out our top ideas below.

Communication is Key

When it comes to fixing errors and improving software functionality, change is only a good thing! These changes absolutely must be communicated to the end-user base. Training should be considered for any large and difficult to understand changes. Failing to do so will most certainly result in mistakes and frustrations on the user end.

Loop in your communications team in order to get their help with generating content that describes the relevant changes. There are many fun ways to spice this up and inject some personality. You want to get people excited, let people know what to expect, how their feedback was listened to, and what they can look forward to. Whether this is a Slack message, an email newsletter or even a group text, depending on your company’s style - get the message out there and get people excited! Keeping your users up to date with how they can get the most out of the program is vital.

Strong Change Management Log

Some things are simply good housekeeping. Nobody wants to be left scrambling to understand the history of developments and changes which have gone into a release. You should take care to ensure that you have created a thorough and precise document, which details every change implemented by the development teams.

Clear Release Calendar

Release calendars are a way to ensure that the entire team are aware of upcoming releases. Every release should be carefully planned ahead and communicated. The rhythm of new releases should be kept steady, in order to ensure that users have time to get used to the software updates, and also know when to expect them.

Be strict and firm about the dates, and don’t change them too often. Sometimes, a release fixes a serious flaw in functionality or a process which needs adapting. People may be frustrated. You can use the release calendar to provide reassurance that it is being taken care of, lowering frustration.

Consistent Documentation

Documentation is probably the most tedious part of making sure your release management runs smoothly. However, it’s essential. The best way to manage documentation is by creating two documents:

• Document 1 will focus on every new aspect of the release. This is very important for training purposes.
• Document 2 is the general software documentation. This is important for the users themselves. See this as their FAQ and guide, helping them to find answers to their questions or queries around processes. This is also a very useful document for onboarding and training new employees.

There are many clever and effective ways to approach this. WalkMe, for example, allows you to simplify and streamline the documentation process. Instead of creating powerpoints and various documents, the interactive platform allows you to change the step by step guidance of the specific process that has changed. This cuts out the need for tedious individual updates.

Checking In on User Adoption

For each new feature or process, it is important to understand how the team is reacting to it. Here are some starter questions to ask yourself:

• Are users utilising the new feature?
• If not, why not?
• Is the user experience smooth and easy?
• Do users require more training?
• Are users making many mistakes?
• If so, are they all making the same mistakes?

Ask yourself these questions in order to accurately ascertain whether the software is being adopted in a natural and user-friendly way. Solutions such as WalkMe allow easy monitoring of this, and in fact, promote user adoption by giving user-specific nudges and tips.

Finally, feedback, feedback, feedback! It’s always so important to understand directly from your users how to improve. It’s a large part of knowing how to course correct and make new developments and changes to the software. Make sure the communication channels are open, and that you’re directly asking for feedback.

With these hints and tips in mind, we hope that you will create a robust and solid framework from which to build your software releases. Good luck!