Release management RELM

(modified)

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

SFIA 9 is in development

SFIA 9 beta due in early July 2024
SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024

This is a prototype for SFIA 9. It is subject to change before publication.

Disclaimer - prototypes/new skills may be substantially modified prior to launch or may never be released.

Moving to SFIA 9

Deployment tasks and responsibilities have been moved to a new skill - Deployment
New level 2 added to support entry-level roles
SFIA 8 skill descriptions will remain available for you to use
Previous SFIA assessments are not impacted by this change

Guidance notes

(modified)

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 reponsibilities.

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 with tasks (generic examples are provided by the essence statements for each level)

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Levels

Defined at these levels:

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

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.

(new)

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.

(modified)

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 supervises others, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

(modified)

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 achieving workgroup objectives and managing work from analysis to execution and evaluation.

(modified)

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 programs.

Ensures that 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, fosters organizational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

(modified)

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 best practices and continuous improvement in release management.

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

Large change Split New level