The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Release management RELM

Managing the release of new and updated services into production, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance standards.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Application of SFIA skills for cloud-based working, Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (updates to skill name/skill description), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • Skill split into two skills: Release management and Deployment
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • Content changes have been made to levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change. See also Deployment

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • planning and scheduling releases in line with business requirements, considering the size, scope and content of each release
  • coordinating release activities across multiple teams and stakeholders, including third-party suppliers
  • managing the release lifecycle, including build, testing, deployment and post-implementation review
  • ensuring releases meet quality, security and compliance standards
  • communicating release plans, progress and outcomes to stakeholders
  • conducting post-release reviews and identifying areas for improvement
  • maintaining release processes, procedures and documentation
  • managing staged releases, pilot releases, blue/green releases or feature flags as appropriate.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Release management: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists with release management tasks under routine supervision.

Supports the collection of data and information for release planning and scheduling.

Assists in the preparation of release materials and resources. Helps document and maintain records of release activities.

Participates in basic testing and quality assurance tasks and issue resolution.

Release management: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Supports the planning and scheduling of releases.

Coordinates release activities with relevant teams. Follows defined release processes and procedures.

Participates in testing and quality assurance activities to ensure releases meet standards. Identifies and resolves issues related to the release process.

Documents and reports on release outcomes and communicates findings to stakeholders.

Release management: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Plans and schedules releases in line with business requirements and objectives.

Coordinates release activities across multiple teams and stakeholders. Manages the release lifecycle, ensuring timely and quality deliverables.

Ensures releases meet defined quality, security and compliance standards.

Communicates release plans, progress and outcomes to stakeholders. Conducts post-release reviews and identifies areas for improvement.

Release management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Develops and maintains release approaches, processes and automation tools.

Oversees the planning and scheduling of complex, large-scale releases. Coordinates release activities across multiple projects and programmes.

Ensures release processes and procedures are applied and that releases can be rolled back as needed.

Communicates release approaches and outcomes. Conducts post-release analysis and drives continuous improvement.

Release management: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Defines organisational release management strategies, policies and standards.

Aligns release management with overall business strategies and objectives. Ensures the availability of resources and tools for effective release management.

Communicates release strategies and outcomes to stakeholders.

Drives the adoption of new release management techniques and technologies.

Keywords
Large change Split New level Re-named