How to Write a Software “Release Notes” Document
A practical and easy-to-follow guide to writing Release Notes with examples and the important points to consider while writing it
Software production is a continuous process of code writing, testing, distribution, and repeating it all over again in a theoretically endless loop of development.
What makes this cycle complicated is the fact that the loops are not always independent: they overlap.
This is due to the fact that a software company has multiple clients or customers to which different versions of the software are delivered on different dates, and the clients have different or unique requirements, demands, and expectations.
More often than not, all the past versions have to be maintained through customer/technical service, upgrades or patches while trying to upgrade them to the latest release, at an additional cost.
All that creates a complex production, maintenance, and service environment.
The document called “Release Notes” is a part of that effort to keep the clients informed and happy while bolstering the company’s brand and market position.
This brief technical report explains the issues involved in writing such a document and offers easy to follow examples.
The chapters include:
1) What is Release Notes?
2) Two Types of Release Notes
3) Components of Release Notes
4) CONCLUSION: A Fine Balance