Agile Delivery with DevOps and Release on Demand
The Evolution of Deployment and Release in Software Development
While in software development, one could view the newly established dichotomy between deployment and release as relatively new, the related separation marked a strategic shift in the approach, focusing on increased agility and adaptability. Unlike older models requiring integration of the two, the current paradigm supports distinction, enabling organizations to respond more effectively to external, market changes and the demands of their customers.
The Elaboration of Release on Demand
The concept of Release on Demand redefines the way feature delivery to end-users prioritizes strategic excellence over quantitative performance. While deployment remains continuous, release – defining when the software is available to end-users – becomes more strategic and business-oriented . Essentially, such a paradigm shift eliminates the need for organizations to stay fixed on inflexible release cycles and instead develop a strategy based on market availability, user readiness, and other personal imperatives.
Strategic Planning and Implementation of Releases
The separation of the deployment process from the release planning and implementation enables organizations to strategize the development of their products based on the current situation in the market, feedback from users, and activities of competitors . For example, a retail app preparing for a major sales event can synchronize feature releases with the event to maximize impact and engagement.
Risk Assessment and Testing
The separation of deployment and release allows for risk mitigation through techniques like feature toggles and A/B testing. For example, feature toggles enabled experiment and adaptive behavior through the deactivation of specific features without redeployment, while A/B testing allowed for the trial release feature for further possible iteration based on user interaction.
The Importance of Collaboration
This approach fosters collaboration between development and business teams. The System Team works closely with Product Management to align development with business goals and customer needs. This alignment ensures that release strategies are informed by market insights and strategic objectives, enhancing the impact of software releases.
Agility in Marketing Feeds
The Release on Demand model empowers organizations to swiftly respond to market feedback and changing priorities. If a feature requires adjustments or fails to resonate with users, organizations can iterate or roll back without disrupting the development cycle. This agility enables organizations to adapt to evolving customer needs and competitive pressures.