Release calendar is an essential tool for managing and organizing the development and deployment of products, services, or updates. It outlines the schedule for when new releases will be made available to customers, stakeholders, and other users. By having a clear and well-organized release calendar, organizations create better transparency on when their products or services are delivered and meet the needs of their target audience.
Whether you work with CI\CD or production updates on a regular basis, the release calendar is the way to outline the features and values you would like to share with your customers.
Here are some best practices for developing and maintaining a release calendar:
- Set clear goals and objectives for each release: The first step in creating a release calendar is to define the goals and objectives of each release. This includes identifying what features or improvements will be included in each release and what the expected outcome or impact will be. For example, a software company might set a goal to release a new version of their product every quarter, with each release focused on bringing new features based on customer feedback. In between there can be other updates with bug fixes, customers’ escalations etc.
- Involve stakeholders in the planning process: Gathering input and feedback from key stakeholders, such as customers, partners, and team members, is crucial in ensuring that the release calendar aligns with their needs and priorities.
- Establish a consistent release schedule: Having a consistent release schedule is important for both the organization and its stakeholders. By determining a regular release schedule that works for the organization and they stick to it as much as possible, stakeholders can plan and prepare for upcoming releases. For example, weekly, monthly or quarterly releases can help the rest of the organization like marketing to align their activities to the planned schedule
- Prioritize and plan the unplanned: Identifying the most important features or improvements for each release is important in order to prioritize the development and deployment of these features. In addition, it is important to plan the unplanned in case any issues arise and allocate time for them in each release.
- Communicate effectively: Communication is an essential aspect of any release calendar. It is important to communicate the release calendar and any changes to stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner. This will help them stay informed and prepare for upcoming releases.
- Continuously review and improve the process: Regularly reviewing and evaluating the release process and the alignment with all of the above is important in order to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as necessary.
In conclusion, a well-planned and executed release calendar is essential for any organization looking to deliver value to their target audience in a timely and efficient manner. By following these best practices, organizations can ensure that their releases are well-organized, meet the needs of their stakeholders, and are delivered on schedule. Additionally, by continuously reviewing and improving the release process, organizations can ensure that their release calendar remains effective and efficient in the long run.
