In this stage, the release management team maps out a detailed plan to execute the proposed release. This includes setting goals and guidelines for the release process, describing the impact of the release on business services and users, planning how exactly to roll out the service, creating a back out plan, scheduling release deployment, and specifying the probable downtimes.
In the Planning stage, you can also set time frames for each release stage and associate users with the roles given in each stage of the release process. Create a checklist to verify whether you have captured all the relevant information in the release plan.
You must fill out the following information in the release request during the Planning stage.
Impact Details
Record the impact the release might have on the business services and users. Decide if the customers should be informed of any downtime or connectivity issues this release might cause.
Rollout Plan
In this plan, detailed descriptions of how the process will be implemented must be discussed. For example, whether the release be implemented in phases or in one shot must be detailed.
Backout Plan
If the release were not fall through, how will it be canceled or the effects mitigated must be described in this plan.
Check List
This is the list of activities that must be done before the release request can progress into the next stage.
Downtime
As the name indicated, this is the probable downtime that might occur when the release request is underway.