3. Release
The Release Phase is the final stage of the 7dig Delivery Method, focusing on preparing the end game to guarantee quality, move to production, and complete essential housekeeping tasks. This phase ensures the product is ready for deployment and the team transitions smoothly from development to support. It begins with a Release Management task followed by three major phases:
Release Management
Release Management outlines the expected resources and timeline for the release activities. This plan ensures that all necessary steps are coordinated and that the release proceeds smoothly, decreasing complexity and risk.
Quality Assurance
User Acceptance Test (UAT)
This phase involves end-users testing the system to ensure it meets their needs and requirements. UAT is critical for gaining user acceptance and identifying any final adjustments needed before Go Live.
Stabilization
During this period, the team focuses on fixing bugs identified during the Load & Stress Tests and UAT. Stabilization ensures that the system is reliable and ready for deployment.
Load & Stress Test
These tests ensure that the system can handle expected and peak loads without performance degradation. Load testing validates the system's behaviour under normal conditions, while stress testing pushes it beyond normal operational capacity to identify breaking points.
Go Live
Monitoring & Tuning
After the system goes live, continuous monitoring is essential to ensure it operates smoothly. Tuning may be necessary to optimize performance and address any issues that arise during the initial usage period.
Release Execution
This involves deploying the system into the live production environment. It includes all necessary steps to transition from a development or staging environment to the live operational system.
Phase Out
The Release Phase is crucial for ensuring that the product meets user expectations, is stable and reliable, and that all necessary support structures are in place for long-term success.
Documentation
Finalizing and structuring the last pieces of documentation is crucial for long-term maintenance and knowledge transfer. This includes user manuals, support guides, and technical documentation.
Team Ramp-down
Gradually reducing the project team size as the system stabilizes and transitions to maintenance mode. This process ensures a smooth handover and efficient use of resources.
Training
Providing training for users and support staff ensures that they are well-prepared to use and maintain the system. Effective training minimizes user frustration and maximizes productivity.
Conclusion
The 7dig Delivery Method is a robust and adaptive approach designed to deliver high-quality software solutions through structured yet flexible processes. By emphasizing an Agile foundation, value-driven practices, and a people-centric approach, it ensures that every solution aligns with business goals and meets user needs.
The method's phased approach—from a thorough Initiation Phase to iterative development in the Iteration Phase, and culminating in the comprehensive Release Phase—provides a clear roadmap for successful project delivery. This iterative and feedback-driven process not only guarantees efficiency and performance but also fosters continuous improvement and stakeholder satisfaction to deliver exceptional software products.
