Releaseketen

Releaseketen is a framework for coordinating the release of products, components, or software across a value chain, with emphasis on traceability, governance, and reliability. It defines how a release is planned, prepared, validated, and deployed, from supplier to end user.

Core elements include a release definition that documents scope, versioning, and acceptance criteria; a release manifest listing all components and dependencies; a role-based approval workflow; change control with verification and testing; deployment plan and rollback procedures; and an audit trail with timestamps, signatures, and non-repudiable records.

Implementation typically integrates with version control systems, continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines, and enterprise systems such as PLM and ERP. It often employs cryptographic signing and component provenance data (e.g., software bill of materials) to ensure authenticity and traceability across the chain.

The concept is used mainly in manufacturing and software deployment contexts where regulatory or quality requirements demand end-to-end visibility. Electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive supply chains, and regulated software ecosystems are cited as use cases. Adoption remains varied, with organizations adapting releaseketen to fit existing processes; challenges include interoperability, data quality, and coordinating multiple stakeholders.

See also: release management, supply chain traceability, bill of materials, software bill of materials, governance, auditability.