HOW TO BUILD SOFTWARE (MVP)

5. DEPLOYMENT

Deployment is the next phase in the software development lifecycle, where releasing code or updating a platform requires significant effort to ensure a smooth process that appears effortless to users.

5.1

environment setup

5.2

deployment plan

5.3

delivery

5.4

MONITORING

 

5.3 DELIVERY

KEY TERMS: deployment, DELIVERY, CONTINUOUS DELIVERY, RELEASE, launch

"Continuous delivery and deployment help you get your features from development to market and into the hands of your end users as quickly as possible."

- Jez Humble

Now is the time to launch your MVP!

Follow your chosen deployment strategy and plan to release your software from a staging or development environment to the production environment where users will access it. This step ensures that your software is live and available to the public. Monitor the process closely to ensure everything goes smoothly.

1. Plan & preparAtion

Before deployment, verify that the software has passed all tests and is ready for release. This includes ensuring that any necessary data migrations are completed, backups are taken, and the production environment is properly configured.

2. EXECUTION

Use deployment tools or scripts to automate the process of moving code and configurations to the production environment. Aim for a smooth and efficient deployment with minimal downtime.

3. VERIFICATION

After deployment, conduct immediate checks to confirm that the software is functioning correctly in the production environment. This can include running smoke tests or verifying key functionalities to ensure everything is working as expected.

USER COMMUNICATION

User Communication involves informing your users about the release of your MVP or any new release or changes that come with it. Effective communication helps users understand and adapt to the new features or updates. Here’s how to handle it:

Announcements. Prepare announcements that clearly explain what’s new in the release. This can include updates on new features, improvements, or bug fixes. Use channels like email newsletters, in-app notifications, or social media to reach your users.

DOcumentation. Provide detailed release notes or documentation that outline the changes and how users can benefit from them. This can help users understand new functionalities and navigate any adjustments they might need to make.

NewfeatureAnnouncement

Support. Offer support options for users who may have questions or encounter issues after the update. This could include help desk support, FAQs, or a dedicated support team to assist with any concerns.

Feedback Collection. Gather feedback from users to understand their experience with the new release. This can include user surveys, support tickets, or direct feedback through customer support channels.

MODERN PRACTICES: CONTINUOUS DELIVERY

Continuous Delivery (CD) is a software development practice where code changes are automatically prepared for release to production. In a Continuous Delivery process, code changes are built, tested, and staged in an environment that closely mirrors production. This allows teams to release updates to users frequently and reliably, with minimal manual intervention. The goal of Continuous Delivery is to ensure that code is always in a deployable state, enabling faster and more consistent delivery of features, fixes, and improvements to end-users.

Continuous Delivery is often combined with Continuous Integration and described as the CI/CD pipeline, which is part of modern DevOps practices. For more details, see the DevOps section.

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In Summary:

  • Prepare for Delivery. Verify that all tests have passed, complete necessary data migrations, take backups, and ensure the production environment is properly configured before moving your software to production.
  • Execute the Deployment. Use deployment tools or scripts to automate the process, aiming for a smooth transition to production with minimal downtime. Ensure that the deployment process is efficient and well-managed.

  • Communicate with Users. Announce the release via email, in-app notifications, or social media. Provide detailed release notes or documentation and offer support options for users. Collect feedback to gauge user experience and address any issues that arise.