Why You Should Not Deploy On Friday?

Introduction

Deploying software updates is an essential part of any IT operation. However, the timing of these deployments can have a significant impact on the success and smoothness of the process. In this article, we will discuss why deploying software updates on Fridays is not recommended and what alternative days you should consider instead.

Risks of Deploying on Fridays

Reduced Availability of Support Personnel
Fridays are often a day where many employees take time off work, or work shorter hours. This means that if something goes wrong with a deployment, there may be limited support personnel available to fix any issues that arise.

The Weekend Effect

If something goes wrong with a deployment on a Friday, it could potentially persist over the weekend, causing further problems and potentially impacting customers. This is especially problematic for businesses that rely on their software systems to operate over the weekend, as any issues will go unresolved until Monday.

Increased Stress for Support Personnel

Deploying software updates can be a stressful process, and adding the time pressure of the weekend can make it even more so. This can lead to support personnel making mistakes or rushing through the process, increasing the risk of issues arising.

Impact on Productivity

If a deployment goes wrong on a Friday, it can impact productivity for both IT staff and end-users. This is especially true if the issue persists over the weekend, leading to further downtime and reduced productivity.
Alternatives to Deploying on Fridays

Midweek Deployments

Deploying updates midweek, such as on a Tuesday or Wednesday, can minimize the risks associated with deploying on a Friday. This allows for adequate time to fix any issues that arise and ensures that support personnel are available throughout the process.

Scheduling Deployments Outside of Business Hours

Another option is to schedule deployments outside of normal business hours, such as overnight or on weekends. This minimizes the impact on end-users and reduces the stress on support personnel.

Plan and Prepare Thoroughly

Before deploying any updates, it is crucial to plan and prepare thoroughly. This includes conducting thorough testing, ensuring that all necessary resources are in place, and having a clear understanding of the deployment process and potential risks.

Communicate with Stakeholders

Communication is key to a successful deployment. It is important to keep stakeholders informed about the deployment process and any potential impact on their work. This can help to minimize any confusion or frustration during the deployment process.

Have a Contingency Plan in Place

Despite the best planning and preparation, things can still go wrong during a deployment. Having a contingency plan in place can help to minimize the impact of any issues that arise and ensure that the deployment process can be quickly resumed.

Monitor and Evaluate the Deployment

After a deployment, it is important to monitor and evaluate its success. This includes checking for any issues or bugs, measuring the performance of the software, and making any necessary adjustments to improve the deployment process in the future.

Final Thoughts

Deploying software updates is a critical aspect of any IT operation, and the timing of these deployments can have a significant impact on their success. By avoiding deploying on Fridays, planning and preparing thoroughly, communicating with stakeholders, having a contingency plan in place, and monitoring and evaluating the deployment, you can help to ensure a successful and smooth deployment process.