Production Deployment Gate
Quick Reference
What & Why
Definition
100% of production deployments require manual approval with >= 2 reviewers (change advisory).
Business Value
Eliminates 90% of environment-specific deployment failures and reduces deployment preparation time from 3 hours to 20 minutes through infrastructure as code Achieving 100% prod deploys have manual approval is a key milestone toward this goal.
Context
This capability is part of the Foundation milestone's focus on establish baseline practices (testable, releasable, monitorable). Essential for teams targeting DF, MTTR improvements.
Success Criteria
Target
100% prod deploys have manual approval
Measurement
Deployment approval audit log
Evidence
- Approval config
- Approval audit trail
- Change advisory board meeting notes
In Practice
Real-World Implementation
CD pipeline pauses before prod deployment, notifies approvers (tech lead + on-call engineer), requires 2 approvals to proceed.
Concrete Example
Implementation Guide
Implementation Steps
Follow the measurement approach: Deployment approval audit log
For detailed step-by-step guidance, refer to the Deployment Automation Foundations Implementation Kit.
Resources
Implementation Kit
Deployment Automation Foundations KitTemplates
Browse all templatesRelated Resources
View learning pathsRelated Capabilities
Prerequisites
Implement these first
Enables
What this unlocks
Complementary
Often adopted together, from the Deployment Automation Foundations epic
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Common Issues
Issue: Target metric not improving
Solution: Verify measurement is accurate, check if prerequisites are fully implemented, review evidence artifacts for completeness
Issue: Team resistance to adoption
Solution: Start with pilot team, demonstrate value with metrics, provide training and support during transition
Issue: Inconsistent implementation across teams
Solution: Create shared templates and guidelines, establish regular sync meetings, use automation to enforce standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we implement this before completing prerequisites?
While possible, it's not recommended. Prerequisites ensure foundational practices are in place, making this capability more effective and easier to adopt.
How long does implementation typically take?
Most capabilities can be implemented within 90 days when tackled as part of the Foundation milestone. Individual timelines vary based on team size and existing practices.