Freigabekette

Freigabekette is the chain of authorization and release activities that must be completed before a product, change, document, or software is officially released. It serves to ensure that the item meets requirements, that risks are assessed, and that responsibilities and decisions are properly documented. The process creates traceability and accountability for release decisions within an organization.

Typically, a Freigabekette begins with a change request or release candidate, followed by impact assessment and validation. A series of reviews and approvals by designated roles—such as design engineers, product owners, quality assurance, regulatory or compliance specialists, production, procurement, and management—are required before the release is authorized. A release note, version control, and an auditable record accompany the final decision. In modern settings, the process is often supported by PLM (product lifecycle management) or ALM (application lifecycle management) systems, which provide workflow automation, notifications, and documentation trails.

Applications of Freigabekette span multiple domains. In product development and manufacturing, it governs changes to parts, drawings, and bills of materials. In software and IT, it covers feature releases, patches, and configuration changes. In regulated industries such as medical devices, automotive, and aerospace, formal sign-offs and rigorous traceability are essential to meet standards and regulatory requirements.

Key considerations for an effective Freigabekette include clearly defined authority levels, segregation of duties, service level agreements for each stage, comprehensive release notes, versioning, and an auditable trail. Properly managed, it supports quality control, compliance, and smooth deployment with minimized risk.