Release Checklist
Overview
Use this checklist before and after releasing a change to production.
Why It Matters
Release mistakes are expensive, and a checklist reduces avoidable misses.
Core Concepts
- Verify the build.
- Verify the deploy.
- Verify the real user path.
Mental Models
Release work is about confidence, not just completion.
Best Practices
- Confirm the deploy target.
- Check logs and monitoring after release.
- Keep rollback steps ready.
Common Mistakes
- Not checking production after deploy.
- Forgetting feature flags or config differences.
- Shipping without a clear owner.
Trade-offs
Stricter release checks slow the process slightly, but they reduce expensive incidents.
Decision Framework
flowchart TD
A[Ready to release] --> B[Build green?]
B -->|Yes| C[Deploy]
C --> D[Verify production]
D --> E[Monitor]Examples
- Confirm the critical path after rollout before closing the release task.
Checklists
- Is the build green?
- Is the rollout verified?
- Are rollback and monitoring in place?
Senior Engineer Notes
Senior engineers treat releases like operations work. Verification after deployment is part of the job.