What Is Release Management? (And How to Start Your Career in It)

Release management is the process of overseeing the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It is one of the main processes of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It includes leading the planning, designing, testing, deploying, and releasing phases of software product development. Release management is essential to the SDLC. It ensures that the development team meets business requirements and delivers high-quality software.

Release management vs. change management

Release management and change management are closely related. Although people often use these terms interchangeably, they are different. Although they have similarities, release and change management have several distinguishing features. You can use the chart below to compare and contrast the two.

The release management process

The release management process is often depicted as linear but more like an iterative process. Each phase can be repeated as needed. The list below outlines each phase.

1. Plan. During the planning phase of the release management process, the project's scope is defined, and all necessary authorisations are made. The release manager also solidifies a release schedule for the development team to follow. 

2. Build. In release management, the build phase refers to the execution of development and design plans. Release activities during this phase may include configuration management and rollout planning.

3. Test. Once the release is ready for testing, the engineering team will deploy it to a test environment to identify bugs. If necessary, the release will be returned to the developers for fixes.

4. Deploy. When the issues that arose during testing have been resolved, the product is ready for deployment in the production environment. Here, the release will be made available to users. End-user training occurs during the deployment phase of the release management process.

5. Maintain. Post-deployment monitoring is essential to the quality of software releases. This release management phase requires the release team to record and report any defects.

The role of a release manager

A release manager is similar to a DevOps engineer. However, release managers focus primarily on the development team, the release process, and the technical specifications of a software product. In contrast, DevOps engineers also orchestrate collaboration among the entire organisation. Core responsibilities for roles in release management include:

• Scheduling releases to ensure they are delivered on time

• Coordinating resources to ensure the project remains within the given budget

• Facilitating collaboration among members of the development and quality assurance (QA) teams

• Strategising the use of release management tools and techniques

• Tracking and reporting project progression to the appropriate parties

Salary and job outlook

According to Indeed [1], the average annual base salary for a release manager in the United Kingdom is £54,455. Additional wages may include bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing.

Qualifications

Release management roles typically require an undergraduate qualification in Computer Science or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a postgraduate qualification in Computer and Information Technology. Additional qualifications include certifications or training in relevant areas of study. For example, Google offers a Professional Certificate in Agile Project Management.

How to become a release manager

The role of a release manager requires high-level technical knowledge and the mastery of several non-technical skills. It's easy to feel overwhelmed if you're new to the field, but remember that many release managers begin without the skills below. As you work through basic concepts, the advanced disciplines will become easier. Also, some of the skills you already possess will likely help you gain the ones you don't yet have.

Gain the essential skills.

• Strong knowledge of digital project management. Release managers often use techniques and tools from various software project management disciplines. For example, DevOps, Agile development, Scrum, and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) are beneficial methodologies for an aspiring release manager to learn. You can enhance your knowledge of digital project management through online Courses like the University of Virginia's Digital Project Management Specialisation.

• Software development expertise. A release manager must thoroughly understand computer programming, system architecture, and the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

• Team management skills. Release managers should have considerable experience with people management. Interpersonal skills are as vital a component of release management as technical proficiency. 

Enhance your CV.

It's important to present yourself to employers as a competitive candidate. There are several ways to enhance your release management CV. For example, you may consider browsing job listings to learn about the most in-demand skills for release managers. You can also demonstrate your abilities and earn certifications in relevant areas of study. 

Get started with Coursera.

Take the first step toward your career in release management and earn a Certificate from the University of Alberta in Software Project Management.