Lähtöversion

Lähtöversion is a Finnish term that translates to "initial version" or "release candidate" in English, often used in the context of software development, product launches, or project milestones. It signifies a version of a product or project that is considered stable enough for a wider audience or a specific testing phase, but may still contain minor bugs or require further refinement before a final, official release.

The purpose of a lähtöversion is to gather feedback from a more diverse group of users or stakeholders than typically involved in internal testing. This feedback is crucial for identifying potential issues, usability problems, or areas for improvement that might have been overlooked during earlier development stages. Depending on the project, a lähtöversion might be distributed to a select group of beta testers, early adopters, or even made publicly available as a pre-release option.

The distinction between a lähtöversion and a final release is important. While a lähtöversion is generally functional and usable, it is explicitly presented as not being the definitive or final product. This manages user expectations and acknowledges that further changes are anticipated. The feedback gathered from the lähtöversion phase directly influences the development of the subsequent, final version, aiming to deliver a more robust and polished product. In some contexts, multiple lähtöversiot might be released if significant issues are discovered and addressed iteratively.