The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Release and deployment RELM

The management of the processes, systems and functions to package, build, test and deploy changes and updates (which are bounded as “releases”) into a live environment, establishing or continuing the specified service, to enable controlled and effective handover to operational management and the user community. The application of automation to improve the efficiency and quality of releases.

Moving to SFIA 8 

There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 8. 

  • The skill descriptions have been edited for readability and guidance notes have been added 
  • Details available here - SFIA 8 Release and deployment 
  • SFIA 7 skill descriptions will remain available for you to use 
  • Previous SFIA assessments are not impacted by this change. 

Levels

Defined at these levels: 3 4 5 6

Release and deployment: Levels 1-2

This skill is not typically observed when working at these levels of responsibility.

Release and deployment: Level 3

Uses the tools and techniques for specific areas of release and deployment activities. Administers the recording of activities, logging of results and documents technical activity undertaken. May carry out early life support activities such as providing support advice to initial users.

Release and deployment: Level 4

Assesses and analyses release components. Provides input to scheduling. Carries out the builds and tests in coordination with testers and component specialists maintaining and administering the tools and methods – manual or automatic - and ensuring, where possible, information exchange with configuration management. Ensures release processes and procedures are maintained.

Release and deployment: Level 5

Leads the assessment, analysis, planning and design of release packages, including assessment of risk. Liaises with business and IT partners on release scheduling and communication of progress. Conducts post release reviews. Ensures release processes and procedures are applied and that releases can be rolled back as needed. Identifies, evaluates and manages the adoption of appropriate release and deployment tools, techniques and processes (including automation).

Release and deployment: Level 6

Sets the release policy for the organisation in the context of both development and production/operations. Ensures that management processes, tools, techniques and resources (including automation) are in place to ensure that the transition of services, service components and packages are planned and compliant and that test and validation and configuration management are partnered in all release and deployment activities. Provides authorisation for critical release activity and point of escalation.

Release and deployment: Level 7

This skill is not typically observed when working at this level of responsibility.