ITIL - Release Management

Release management undertakes the planning, design, build, configuration and testing of hardware and software to create a set of release components for a live environment. Activities also cover the planning, preparation and scheduling of a release. Release management works closely with change management as a release set is a collection of authorised changes, defined by the RFC/s that it implements.

Release Management activities include:

• Release policy and planning
• Release design, build and configuration
• Release acceptance
• Rollout planning
• Extensive testing to predefined criteria
• Sign off of the release for implementation
• Communication, preparation and training
• Audits of hardware and software prior to and following the implementation of changes
• Installation of new or upgraded hardware
• Storage of controlled software in both centralised and distributed systems
• Release, distribution and the installation of software.

The main components to be controlled are:

• Applications software developed in-house
• Externally developed software (including standard off the shelf software as well as customer written software)
• Utility software
• Supplier provided systems software
• Hardware, and hardware specifications
• Assembly instructions and documentation, including User manuals.