We live in times of advanced technology, so new software is released daily. Although software launches usually seem flawless at first glance, they often come with many complications and challenges that have to be dealt with to ensure a smooth launch.
If you’re preparing for an important software release, you’re probably wondering where you need to pay special attention to ensure everything goes according to plan. Even though launches are often unpredictable, you can prepare for them by learning about the most common software release challenges and how to overcome them.
That’s exactly why we’ve decided to cover some of these challenges and provide you with potential solutions to resolve the issue. After completing this article, you’ll be prepared for that big software launch regardless of what comes your way.
1. Slow release speed
Speed is a crucial factor when it comes to software releases. Although most organizations believe speed is of utmost importance, it’s still not as important as the quality of the final product. Quality is usually more important than quantity and that’s also the case here.
Therefore, companies should worry about the release speed only when they’re confident in the quality of their product. Nevertheless, release speed shouldn’t be too slow either, as it increases the chance of rivals gaining a competitive edge. Finding the balance between the two is the key.
How to solve it
If you’re struggling with the slow release speed of your software, investing in the right distribution tools could be your best move. JFrog and similar companies ensure your software is released across the globe quickly and safely.
2. Low build quality
Build quality is probably the most crucial feature of every software, but it’s also where companies make errors the most. Namely, organizations often sacrifice quality to stay ahead of the competition and meet their deadlines. That can lead to disastrous results, especially when it’s time to launch the software program they’ve been working on for months or even years.
How to solve it
By investing in the right tools and automating parts of the process, companies can track the quality of their product efficiently and successfully. Therefore, they can ensure their software is of higher quality, resulting in more successful releases.
3. Poor visibility
Teams often struggle with communication issues, such as members not being aware of the progress of a review process, which essentially means poor visibility. You can improve this lack of visibility by creating detailed documentation and better collaboration tools. Poor visibility doesn’t only result in delays but it can also cause major misunderstandings among team members.
How to solve it
Release management should be a priority from the start of every project. A well-thought-out plan helps ensure consistency, so documenting every step of the process helps a lot. Keep in mind that all team members should have easy access to this information to stay informed about the current release status.
4. Uncontrolled variables
In production environments, it’s impossible to account for every variable, as they can change from environment to environment. If changes are implemented in production without going through a staging environment, this can lead to many bugs. Uncontrolled variables are thus a source of numerous problems, especially if you fail to address them on time.
How to solve it
When preparing for a software launch, the staging environment should be as close to the live environment as possible. That will ensure a smooth acceptance process and minimal user disruption upon deployment. Companies can ensure a successful software release on launch by using the staging environment to debug and test changes before deploying to the production environment.
5. Unsuccessful release
Even if an organization implements all the steps we’ve mentioned, releases don’t always go as planned. It’s not uncommon to find underlying issues such as bugs, missed tests, or miscommunication within the team.
To prevent this from happening or at least minimize the damage, teams should establish a back-out plan in case of failure and then conduct an analysis to identify the root cause of the issue and how to prevent it from happening again.
How to solve it
Define success by establishing KPIs and monitoring them carefully. It will help you identify areas that need improvement. Also, avoid off days like weekends or holidays for the releases. Finally, provide adequate training for everyone on the team instead of just one person. Have them included in the whole process so they get familiar with it?
Wrapping up
Releasing brand-new software is never easy, regardless of how much you prepare for it. Although there are some common IT software release challenges you will most likely encounter, we provide you with an informative and useful guide on identifying and solving them. Now, you’re ready to tackle every issue that might come your way when launching your software.
