Software Release Process Checklist

Prepare Release Documentation

• [ ] Create new release document using standard template
• [ ] Complete "Release Purpose" section with business justification
• [ ] Fill in "Release Information" section
  • [ ] Link to the Release in Jira
  • [ ] Document release date and time window
• [ ] List all services to be updated with base URLs
• [ ] Document dependencies and prerequisites
  • [ ] Required library/framework versions
  • [ ] Links to dependent releases
  • [ ] Notify Power BI team if reporting is affected

Document Release Items

• [ ] For each application being released:
  • [ ] Document application name and TAG
  • [ ] Note if framework upgrade is required
  • [ ] Document any web config changes needed
• [ ] For database releases:
  • [ ] Document TAG
  • [ ] Include application script
  • [ ] Prepare backout script

Verify Testing Documentation

• [ ] Gather Int Testing Artifacts
  • [ ] Link to Flight Plan/UAT Document
  • [ ] Upload Automation Testing Document
  • [ ] Upload Smoke Testing evidence
• [ ] Verify all required tests have passed

Create Deployment and Communication Plans

• [ ] Document deployment plan with before/during/after steps
• [ ] Document expected downtime or user impact
• [ ] Create comprehensive communication plan
  • [ ] Identify all stakeholders to be informed
  • [ ] Plan internal team communications
  • [ ] Plan external user communications
  • [ ] Prepare field communication using BizWiz Release Notes template
• [ ] Create monitoring and rollback plan
  • [ ] Detail monitoring strategy
  • [ ] Specify criteria for rollback decision

Document Additional Considerations

• [ ] Document post-release tasks
  • [ ] Database optimizations
  • [ ] Cache clearing requirements
  • [ ] Additional testing needs
• [ ] Address security considerations
• [ ] Document performance testing details and results
• [ ] Identify training requirements for support/end users
• [ ] Document any known issues or limitations
• [ ] Specify feedback and monitoring channels

Execute Release

• [ ] Execute deployment according to plan
• [ ] Monitor deployment progress
• [ ] Verify deployment completion
• [ ] Complete required post-release tasks
• [ ] Execute post-release verification tests

Execute Rollback Plan (if needed)

• [ ] Initiate rollback procedure if verification fails
• [ ] Notify release team and stakeholders of rollback
• [ ] Verify system stability after rollback
• [ ] Schedule release retrospective to analyze failure

Communicate Release Completion

• [ ] Update release documentation with actual completion time
• [ ] Document Prod Testing Artifacts
  • [ ] Link to Flight Plan/UAT Document
  • [ ] Upload Automation Testing Document
  • [ ] Upload Smoke Testing evidence
• [ ] Send release completion notification to all stakeholders
• [ ] Schedule and conduct post-release review meeting

Post-Release Monitoring

• [ ] Monitor application performance after release
  • [ ] Error rates
  • [ ] Response times
  • [ ] User feedback
• [ ] Document lessons learned for future releases