Deployment Checklist Template - Free Download & Example
Download our free deployment checklist template. Covers pre-deployment checks, rollback plan, monitoring setup and post-deployment verification. Avoid downtime.
A production deployment is a critical moment in every software release. This checklist template ensures no step is missed, from pre-deployment verification and database migrations to monitoring configuration and rollback procedures. It includes sections for environment validation, feature flags, load balancer configuration, SSL certificate checks, cache invalidation and communication protocols towards stakeholders. Using a standardised checklist significantly lowers the risk of downtime and production incidents.
Variations
Blue-Green Deployment Checklist
Checklist for zero-downtime deployments with parallel environments, traffic switching and automated health checks after the switch.
Best for: Suited for mission-critical applications where downtime is unacceptable and you can instantly switch back to the previous version.
Canary Release Checklist
Phased rollout checklist where the new version first reaches a small percentage of users, with monitoring triggers for automatic rollback.
Best for: Ideal for SaaS platforms with many users where you want to gradually roll out new features and minimise risk.
Hotfix Deployment Checklist
Shortened checklist for urgent bug fixes with an expedited approval flow, minimal regression tests and immediate post-deployment monitoring.
Best for: Perfect for emergencies where a critical bug or security vulnerability must be patched quickly outside the regular release cycle.
How to use
Step 1: Download the deployment checklist and choose the variant matching your deployment strategy. Step 2: Fill in the release information: version number, date, responsible engineer and list of changes. Step 3: Walk through the pre-deployment checks: have all tests passed, have database migrations been tested on staging, are feature flags correctly configured? Step 4: Verify the rollback procedure — ensure you can revert to the previous version within 15 minutes. Step 5: Execute the deployment following the established protocol and monitor logs and error rates in real time. Step 6: Walk through post-deployment verification: check critical user flows, API endpoints, background jobs and integrations. Step 7: Confirm the successful deployment to stakeholders and document any deviations or learnings.
Frequently asked questions
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