What Is Release Management? (And How to Start Your Career in It)

Key takeaways

Release management is the process of overseeing the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in areas such as design and deployment.

• Jobs in the computer and information technology industry are expected to grow much faster than average between 2024 and 2034 [1].

• The five steps to a successful release management process are plan, build, test, deploy, and maintain.

• You can earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science to begin your career as a release manager.

Explore the field of release management, the salary for this profession, and how you can become a release manager. If you’re ready to begin developing your skill set in this area, enroll in the IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate, where in as little as six months, you can learn about the software development lifecycle, application deployment, Scrum, Linux commands, and more

What is release management?

Release management is the process of overseeing the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It is one of the main processes of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It includes leading the planning, designing, testing, deploying, and releasing phases of software product development. Release management is essential to the SDLC. It ensures that the development team meets business requirements and delivers high-quality software.

Read more: What Is the Software Development Life Cycle? SDLC Explained

Release management vs. change management: What does a release manager do?

Release management and change management are closely related. Often, people use these terms interchangeably, but they are different. Although they have similarities, release management and change management also have several distinguishing features. You can use the chart below to compare and contrast the two.

What are the 5 steps to a successful release management process? 

The release management process is often depicted as linear, but it is more like an iterative process. Each phase of the release process can be repeated as needed. The list below outlines each phase of the release management process.

1. Plan: During the planning phase of the release management process, the project's scope is defined, and all necessary authorizations happen. The release manager will also solidify a release schedule for the development team to follow. 

2. Build: In release management, the build phase refers to the execution of development and design plans. Release activities during this phase may include configuration management and rollout planning.

3. Test: Once the release is ready for testing, the engineering team will deploy it to a test environment for bug identification. If necessary, the release will return to the developers for fixes.

4. Deploy: When the issues that arose during testing have been resolved, the product is ready for deployment in the production environment. Here, the release will be made available to users. End-user training occurs during the deploy phase of the release management process.

5. Maintain: Post-deployment monitoring is essential to the quality of software releases. This phase of release management requires the release team to record and report any defects in the release.

What are the 3 categories of release management?

Most software releases fall into three categories: Major releases, minor releases, and emergency fixes. An emergency release fixes a major error that causes the program to not work as intended. A major release might offer new features or significantly change the user experience in some way. A minor release is a smaller update or fix with smaller improvements.

What is a release manager?

A release manager is similar to a DevOps engineer. However, release managers focus primarily on the development team, the release process, and the technical specifications of a software product. In contrast, DevOps engineers also orchestrate collaboration among the entire organization. Core responsibilities for roles in release management include:

• Scheduling releases to ensure they are delivered on time

• Coordinating resources to ensure the project remains within the given budget

• Facilitating collaboration among members of the development and quality assurance (QA) teams

• Strategizing the use of release management tools and techniques

• Tracking and reporting project progression to the appropriate parties

Release manager salary and job outlook

Release managers belong to the occupational field of computer and information technology. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in this industry are expected to grow much faster than average between 2024 and 2034 [1]. That statistic translates into about 317,700 job openings each year [1]. The median total pay for a release manager in the United States is $188,000 [2]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Qualifications for a release manager

Roles in release management often require a bachelor's in computer science or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's in computer science or a master's in information technology.

According to Zippia, 70 percent of release managers hold a bachelor's degree, 19 percent hold a master's degree, and 8 percent have an associate degree [3]. Additional qualifications include certifications or training in relevant areas of study. For example, Google offers a Professional Certificate in Project Management.

How to become a release manager

The role of a release manager requires high-level technical knowledge and the mastery of several nontechnical skills. It's easy to feel overwhelmed if you're new to the field, but remember that many release managers begin without the skills below. As you work through basic concepts, the advanced disciplines will become easier. Also, some of the skills you already possess will likely help you gain the ones you don't yet have.

Gain the essential skills.

• Strong knowledge of digital project management: Release managers often use techniques and tools from various software project management disciplines. For example, DevOps, Agile development, Scrum, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) are beneficial methodologies for an aspiring release manager to learn. You can enhance your knowledge of digital project management through online courses like the Scrum Master Certification Specialization.

• Software development expertise: A release manager must have a thorough understanding of computer programming, system architecture, and the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

• Team management skills: Release managers should have a considerable amount of experience with people management. Interpersonal skills are as vital a component of release management as technical proficiency. 

Enhance your resume.

It’s important to present yourself to employers as a competitive candidate. There are several ways to enhance your release management resume. For example, you may consider browsing job listings to learn about the most in-demand skills for release managers. You can also demonstrate your abilities and earn certifications in relevant areas of study. 

Keep up with industry tips and trends 

Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, for industry updates, tips, and trends. Then, explore free resources related to product development to optimize your professional growth:

• Watch on YouTube: Product Management 101: Your Ultimate Guide to Success

• Explore AI and product management: How AI is Changing Product Management Careers

• Plan your career progression: Product Management Career Progression: Job Levels & Skills to Advance

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