Just Launched! — Copy Templates for Better Release Management
July 15, 2020

Just Launched! — Copy Templates for Better Release Management

by Claire George

Flawless. When done right this is how product releases should appear to customers. But behind the scenes, product managers know exactly how much careful coordination must happen to make everything run smoothly. Release templates and checklists help standardize the process. With today's launch, it is easier to ensure repeat success.

You can now copy existing release templates and set one as the default for all users.

You could already create custom release templates with phases, milestones, durations, and dependencies. But there were some quirks. For example, the "default" template in the dropdown that appears when you add a new release is actually a demo template that we created to help you get started — but it was not editable. And templates were listed alphabetically, without the ability for you to choose to make a template preselected for users.

Now you can modify the default template in each line and workspace or choose a different template and set it as the default. You can also copy an existing template, adjust the details, and save it as new.

Templates you create at the parent-line level can be used by any of the child workspaces in your account, while templates created at the workspace level can only be used by that workspace.

Let's take a closer look:

Create a release template

Open up the release templates section in your parent line or workspace settings. From here, you can create a new template from scratch or use the example template to get started. Add phases and milestones. Fill in the details too — define any common dependencies, set typical timeframes, and create to-dos to highlight what is needed when.

Default templates are preselected when adding a new release — users can still select a different template.

Default templates are preselected when adding a new release — users can still select a different template.

Copy an existing template

When you copy a template each element will be duplicated — including all of those details you captured. Keep what you want and adapt for what you need. Give your copy a unique name to help teammates understand when to use it.

You can copy any template at the parent line or workspace level.

Manage your release

The details of your release template are instantly accessible while you manage your plans in a Gantt chart view. Add new phases and milestones directly inline on the Gantt chart itself or in the drawer view shown below.

Organize your Gantt chart by adding features to their respective phases.

Organize your Gantt chart by adding features to their respective phases.

Life is better when everyone on your team takes a consistent approach to release planning.

Using release templates makes it easy to establish a standard process, and adapt and improve as you go. This way, you can focus on creating beautiful visuals of your plans to rally everyone around the next big thing.

Sign up for a free Aha! trial — be happy

Release templates are available to all Aha! customers. If you are not already an Aha! customer, you may want to sign up for a free 30-day trial or join a live demo to see why more than 300,000 users trust Aha! to build lovable products.

Claire George

Claire George

Claire is passionate about helping product development teams learn how to bring their strategy to life. She is the director of product marketing at Aha! — the world’s #1 product development software. Claire has 20 years of marketing and software experience. Previously, she led product marketing at an agile-based work management platform.

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