sf-agent-framework/sf-core/data/release-best-practices.md

AI Agent Orchestration Framework for Salesforce Development - Two-phase architecture with 70% context reduction

# Salesforce Release Best Practices

## Overview

Successful Salesforce releases require careful planning, coordination, and
execution. This document provides comprehensive best practices for managing
releases, from planning through post-deployment activities.

## Release Planning

### Release Strategy Types

#### Major Releases (Quarterly)

```yaml
major_release:
  frequency: Quarterly
  duration: 8-12 weeks
  scope:
    - New features
    - Architecture changes
    - Integration updates
    - Major enhancements

  timeline:
    planning: 2 weeks
    development: 6-8 weeks
    testing: 2 weeks
    deployment: 1 week
    stabilization: 1 week
```

#### Minor Releases (Monthly)

```yaml
minor_release:
  frequency: Monthly
  duration: 3-4 weeks
  scope:
    - Bug fixes
    - Small enhancements
    - Configuration changes
    - Report updates

  timeline:
    planning: 3 days
    development: 2 weeks
    testing: 3 days
    deployment: 1 day
```

#### Hotfix Releases (As Needed)

```yaml
hotfix_release:
  frequency: As needed
  duration: 1-3 days
  scope:
    - Critical bug fixes
    - Security patches
    - Production issues

  process:
    - Immediate triage
    - Fast-track testing
    - Emergency deployment
    - Backport to main branch
```

### Release Planning Framework

```javascript
// Release planning template
const releasePlan = {
  release: {
    name: "Winter '24 Release",
    version: '1.5.0',
    targetDate: '2024-01-15',
    environments: ['Dev', 'QA', 'UAT', 'Production'],
  },

  features: [
    {
      id: 'F-001',
      name: 'Account Hierarchy Visualization',
      priority: 'High',
      effort: 'Large',
      dependencies: ['F-002'],
      owner: 'Product Team',
    },
    {
      id: 'F-002',
      name: 'Data Model Enhancement',
      priority: 'Critical',
      effort: 'Medium',
      dependencies: [],
      owner: 'Architecture Team',
    },
  ],

  milestones: [
    { date: '2023-11-15', milestone: 'Requirements Complete' },
    { date: '2023-12-01', milestone: 'Development Complete' },
    { date: '2023-12-15', milestone: 'UAT Sign-off' },
    { date: '2024-01-15', milestone: 'Production Deployment' },
  ],
};
```

## Pre-Release Activities

### Requirements Management

```apex
// Requirements tracking
public class RequirementTracker {
    public static void validateRequirements(Release__c release) {
        List<Requirement__c> requirements = [
            SELECT Id, Status__c, Priority__c, Approved_By__c
            FROM Requirement__c
            WHERE Release__c = :release.Id
        ];

        for (Requirement__c req : requirements) {
            if (req.Priority__c == 'Critical' && req.Status__c != 'Approved') {
                throw new ReleaseException(
                    'All critical requirements must be approved before release'
                );
            }
        }
    }

    public static Map<String, Integer> getRequirementStats(Id releaseId) {
        return new Map<String, Integer>{
            'total' => [SELECT COUNT() FROM Requirement__c WHERE Release__c = :releaseId],
            'approved' => [SELECT COUNT() FROM Requirement__c WHERE Release__c = :releaseId AND Status__c = 'Approved'],
            'inProgress' => [SELECT COUNT() FROM Requirement__c WHERE Release__c = :releaseId AND Status__c = 'In Progress']
        };
    }
}
```

### Environment Management

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Environment preparation script

ENVIRONMENT=$1
RELEASE_VERSION=$2

echo "Preparing $ENVIRONMENT for release $RELEASE_VERSION"

# Backup current state
echo "Creating backup..."
sf project retrieve start \
    --target-org $ENVIRONMENT \
    --output-dir "backups/$ENVIRONMENT-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"

# Validate environment health
echo "Validating environment..."
sf org display --target-org $ENVIRONMENT --json > env-health.json

# Check storage limits
echo "Checking storage..."
sf data query \
    --query "SELECT COUNT() FROM Account" \
    --target-org $ENVIRONMENT

# Run environment diagnostics
echo "Running diagnostics..."
sf apex run \
    --file scripts/environment-diagnostics.apex \
    --target-org $ENVIRONMENT

echo "Environment preparation complete"
```

### Code Review Standards

```yaml
code_review_checklist:
  general:
    - Code follows naming conventions
    - Adequate comments and documentation
    - No hardcoded values
    - Proper error handling
    - Security best practices followed

  apex:
    - Bulkified for large data volumes
    - SOQL queries outside loops
    - Governor limits considered
    - Test coverage >= 75%
    - Positive and negative test cases

  lwc:
    - Component is accessible
    - Wire adapters used appropriately
    - Error boundaries implemented
    - Performance optimized
    - Unit tests present

  configuration:
    - Field descriptions complete
    - Help text provided
    - Page layouts optimized
    - Validation rules tested
    - Permissions documented
```

## Release Build Process

### Build Automation

```javascript
// Build script
const { exec } = require('child_process');
const fs = require('fs');

class ReleaseBuilder {
  constructor(releaseVersion) {
    this.version = releaseVersion;
    this.buildDir = `builds/${releaseVersion}`;
    this.manifest = 'manifest/package.xml';
  }

  async build() {
    console.log(`Building release ${this.version}`);

    // Create build directory
    await this.createBuildDirectory();

    // Generate manifest
    await this.generateManifest();

    // Retrieve metadata
    await this.retrieveMetadata();

    // Run quality checks
    await this.runQualityChecks();

    // Create deployment package
    await this.createPackage();

    // Generate release notes
    await this.generateReleaseNotes();

    console.log('Build complete!');
  }

  async runQualityChecks() {
    // PMD analysis
    await this.execCommand('sf scanner run --target force-app --format json');

    // Test execution
    await this.execCommand('sf apex test run --test-level RunLocalTests --wait 10');

    // Security scan
    await this.execCommand('sf scanner run --target force-app --category Security');
  }
}
```

### Package Validation

```apex
// Package validator
public class PackageValidator {
    public static ValidationResult validatePackage(String packageXml) {
        ValidationResult result = new ValidationResult();

        // Parse package.xml
        Dom.Document doc = new Dom.Document();
        doc.load(packageXml);

        // Check for required components
        result.hasRequiredComponents = validateRequiredComponents(doc);

        // Check dependencies
        result.dependenciesResolved = validateDependencies(doc);

        // Check for deprecated components
        result.deprecatedComponents = findDeprecatedComponents(doc);

        // Validate API version
        result.apiVersionValid = validateApiVersion(doc);

        return result;
    }

    public class ValidationResult {
        public Boolean hasRequiredComponents { get; set; }
        public Boolean dependenciesResolved { get; set; }
        public List<String> deprecatedComponents { get; set; }
        public Boolean apiVersionValid { get; set; }

        public Boolean isValid() {
            return hasRequiredComponents &&
                   dependenciesResolved &&
                   deprecatedComponents.isEmpty() &&
                   apiVersionValid;
        }
    }
}
```

## Testing Best Practices

### Test Strategy

```yaml
test_strategy:
  levels:
    unit_testing:
      coverage: 80%
      responsible: Developers
      automation: 100%

    integration_testing:
      coverage: Critical paths
      responsible: QA Team
      automation: 70%

    system_testing:
      coverage: End-to-end flows
      responsible: QA Team
      automation: 50%

    uat:
      coverage: Business scenarios
      responsible: Business Users
      automation: 0%

    performance_testing:
      coverage: High-volume operations
      responsible: Performance Team
      automation: 80%
```

### Test Execution Framework

```apex
// Automated test executor
@RestResource(urlMapping='/release/test/*')
global class ReleaseTestExecutor {
    @HttpPost
    global static TestResult runReleaseTests(String releaseId) {
        TestResult result = new TestResult();

        // Get test classes for release
        List<ApexClass> testClasses = getTestClassesForRelease(releaseId);

        // Run tests
        ApexTestQueueItem[] testQueueItems = createTestQueueItems(testClasses);
        insert testQueueItems;

        // Monitor completion
        result = monitorTestExecution(testQueueItems);

        // Generate report
        generateTestReport(releaseId, result);

        return result;
    }

    global class TestResult {
        public Integer totalTests { get; set; }
        public Integer passedTests { get; set; }
        public Integer failedTests { get; set; }
        public Decimal codeCoverage { get; set; }
        public List<String> failures { get; set; }
    }
}
```

### UAT Management

```javascript
// UAT tracking system
class UATManager {
  constructor() {
    this.testCases = [];
    this.testers = [];
    this.results = [];
  }

  createTestCase(testCase) {
    return {
      id: generateId(),
      title: testCase.title,
      description: testCase.description,
      steps: testCase.steps,
      expectedResult: testCase.expectedResult,
      priority: testCase.priority,
      assignedTo: null,
      status: 'Not Started',
      actualResult: null,
      defects: [],
    };
  }

  assignTester(testCaseId, testerId) {
    const testCase = this.testCases.find((tc) => tc.id === testCaseId);
    testCase.assignedTo = testerId;
    testCase.status = 'Assigned';

    // Send notification
    this.notifyTester(testerId, testCase);
  }

  recordResult(testCaseId, result) {
    const testCase = this.testCases.find((tc) => tc.id === testCaseId);
    testCase.status = result.passed ? 'Passed' : 'Failed';
    testCase.actualResult = result.actualResult;

    if (!result.passed) {
      testCase.defects.push(this.createDefect(testCase, result));
    }
  }

  getUATReadiness() {
    const total = this.testCases.length;
    const passed = this.testCases.filter((tc) => tc.status === 'Passed').length;
    const failed = this.testCases.filter((tc) => tc.status === 'Failed').length;

    return {
      total,
      passed,
      failed,
      passRate: ((passed / total) * 100).toFixed(2) + '%',
      isReady: passed === total,
    };
  }
}
```

## Deployment Process

### Deployment Checklist

```markdown
# Pre-Deployment Checklist

## Technical Readiness

- [ ] All code reviewed and approved
- [ ] Test coverage >= 75%
- [ ] No PMD violations (Critical/High)
- [ ] Security scan passed
- [ ] Performance benchmarks met

## Business Readiness

- [ ] UAT sign-off received
- [ ] Training completed
- [ ] Documentation updated
- [ ] Communications sent
- [ ] Support team briefed

## Environment Readiness

- [ ] Production backup completed
- [ ] Maintenance window scheduled
- [ ] Rollback plan tested
- [ ] Monitoring configured
- [ ] External systems notified

## Deployment Preparation

- [ ] Deployment package validated
- [ ] Deployment user access verified
- [ ] Pre-deployment scripts ready
- [ ] Post-deployment scripts ready
- [ ] Success criteria defined
```

### Deployment Automation

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# release-deploy.sh

set -e

RELEASE_VERSION=$1
TARGET_ORG=$2
DRY_RUN=${3:-false}

log() {
    echo "[$(date +'%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] $1"
}

log "Starting deployment of release $RELEASE_VERSION to $TARGET_ORG"

# Pre-deployment validation
log "Running pre-deployment validation..."
./scripts/pre-deploy-validate.sh $TARGET_ORG

if [ "$DRY_RUN" = "true" ]; then
    log "Running deployment validation (dry run)..."
    sf project deploy validate \
        --target-org $TARGET_ORG \
        --manifest releases/$RELEASE_VERSION/package.xml \
        --test-level RunLocalTests \
        --wait 30
else
    # Create deployment record
    DEPLOY_ID=$(uuidgen)
    echo $DEPLOY_ID > .current-deployment

    # Start deployment
    log "Starting deployment..."
    sf project deploy start \
        --target-org $TARGET_ORG \
        --manifest releases/$RELEASE_VERSION/package.xml \
        --test-level RunLocalTests \
        --wait 30 \
        --verbose \
        --json > deployment-$DEPLOY_ID.json

    # Check deployment status
    DEPLOY_STATUS=$(jq -r '.result.status' deployment-$DEPLOY_ID.json)

    if [ "$DEPLOY_STATUS" = "Succeeded" ]; then
        log "Deployment successful!"

        # Run post-deployment scripts
        log "Running post-deployment scripts..."
        ./scripts/post-deploy.sh $TARGET_ORG $RELEASE_VERSION

        # Update release record
        sf data update record \
            --sobject Release__c \
            --where "Version__c='$RELEASE_VERSION'" \
            --values "Status__c='Deployed' Deployed_Date__c='$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)'"
    else
        log "Deployment failed!"

        # Initiate rollback
        log "Initiating rollback..."
        ./scripts/rollback.sh $TARGET_ORG $DEPLOY_ID

        exit 1
    fi
fi

log "Deployment process complete"
```

### Rollback Strategy

```apex
// Rollback handler
public class RollbackHandler {
    public static void executeRollback(String deploymentId) {
        Deployment__c deployment = [
            SELECT Id, Backup_Location__c, Components_Deployed__c
            FROM Deployment__c
            WHERE Id = :deploymentId
        ];

        try {
            // Restore from backup
            restoreFromBackup(deployment.Backup_Location__c);

            // Revert database changes
            revertDatabaseChanges(deployment);

            // Update deployment status
            deployment.Status__c = 'Rolled Back';
            deployment.Rollback_Date__c = DateTime.now();
            update deployment;

            // Notify stakeholders
            notifyRollback(deployment);

        } catch (Exception e) {
            // Emergency procedures
            initiateEmergencyProtocol(deployment, e);
        }
    }

    private static void restoreFromBackup(String backupLocation) {
        // Implementation for metadata restore
    }

    private static void revertDatabaseChanges(Deployment__c deployment) {
        // Implementation for data rollback
    }
}
```

## Post-Release Activities

### Release Verification

```javascript
// Post-deployment verification
class ReleaseVerifier {
  async verifyRelease(releaseId, targetOrg) {
    const verificationResults = {
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
      releaseId: releaseId,
      targetOrg: targetOrg,
      checks: [],
    };

    // Component verification
    verificationResults.checks.push(await this.verifyComponents(releaseId, targetOrg));

    // Functionality verification
    verificationResults.checks.push(await this.verifyFunctionality(releaseId, targetOrg));

    // Performance verification
    verificationResults.checks.push(await this.verifyPerformance(releaseId, targetOrg));

    // Integration verification
    verificationResults.checks.push(await this.verifyIntegrations(releaseId, targetOrg));

    return verificationResults;
  }

  async verifyComponents(releaseId, targetOrg) {
    // Check all components deployed successfully
    const components = await this.getExpectedComponents(releaseId);
    const deployedComponents = await this.getDeployedComponents(targetOrg);

    return {
      checkName: 'Component Verification',
      passed: components.every((c) => deployedComponents.includes(c)),
      details: {
        expected: components.length,
        deployed: deployedComponents.length,
        missing: components.filter((c) => !deployedComponents.includes(c)),
      },
    };
  }
}
```

### Performance Monitoring

```apex
// Post-release performance monitoring
public class ReleasePerformanceMonitor {
    @InvocableMethod(label='Monitor Release Performance')
    public static void monitorPerformance(List<String> releaseIds) {
        String releaseId = releaseIds[0];

        // Capture baseline metrics
        PerformanceMetrics baseline = captureMetrics('BASELINE');

        // Wait for system to stabilize
        waitForStabilization();

        // Capture post-release metrics
        PerformanceMetrics current = captureMetrics('POST_RELEASE');

        // Compare and analyze
        PerformanceAnalysis analysis = compareMetrics(baseline, current);

        // Create monitoring record
        Release_Performance__c perfRecord = new Release_Performance__c(
            Release__c = releaseId,
            Page_Load_Time__c = analysis.avgPageLoadTime,
            API_Response_Time__c = analysis.avgApiResponseTime,
            Error_Rate__c = analysis.errorRate,
            User_Satisfaction__c = analysis.userSatisfaction,
            Performance_Score__c = analysis.overallScore
        );

        insert perfRecord;

        // Alert if degradation detected
        if (analysis.hasDegradation()) {
            createPerformanceAlert(releaseId, analysis);
        }
    }
}
```

### Release Communication

```yaml
communication_plan:
  pre_release:
    - audience: All Users
      timing: 1 week before
      channel: Email + Chatter
      content: Release announcement, features, timeline

    - audience: Power Users
      timing: 3 days before
      channel: Webinar
      content: Deep dive, Q&A session

    - audience: IT Team
      timing: 1 day before
      channel: Meeting
      content: Technical briefing, support plan

  release_day:
    - audience: All Users
      timing: Start of maintenance
      channel: Email
      content: Maintenance notification

    - audience: All Users
      timing: Post deployment
      channel: Email + Chatter
      content: Release complete, what's new

  post_release:
    - audience: All Users
      timing: 1 day after
      channel: Email
      content: Tips and tricks, resources

    - audience: Stakeholders
      timing: 1 week after
      channel: Report
      content: Release metrics, adoption stats
```

## Release Metrics and KPIs

### Success Metrics

```apex
// Release success calculator
public class ReleaseMetrics {
    public static ReleaseScorecard calculateScorecard(String releaseId) {
        ReleaseScorecard scorecard = new ReleaseScorecard();

        // Quality metrics
        scorecard.defectDensity = calculateDefectDensity(releaseId);
        scorecard.testPassRate = calculateTestPassRate(releaseId);
        scorecard.codeCoverage = calculateCodeCoverage(releaseId);

        // Delivery metrics
        scorecard.onTimeDelivery = wasDeliveredOnTime(releaseId);
        scorecard.scopeCompletion = calculateScopeCompletion(releaseId);

        // Adoption metrics
        scorecard.userAdoption = measureUserAdoption(releaseId);
        scorecard.featureUtilization = measureFeatureUtilization(releaseId);

        // Stability metrics
        scorecard.incidentCount = countPostReleaseIncidents(releaseId);
        scorecard.rollbackRequired = checkRollbackStatus(releaseId);

        // Calculate overall score
        scorecard.overallScore = calculateOverallScore(scorecard);

        return scorecard;
    }

    public class ReleaseScorecard {
        public Decimal defectDensity { get; set; }
        public Decimal testPassRate { get; set; }
        public Decimal codeCoverage { get; set; }
        public Boolean onTimeDelivery { get; set; }
        public Decimal scopeCompletion { get; set; }
        public Decimal userAdoption { get; set; }
        public Decimal featureUtilization { get; set; }
        public Integer incidentCount { get; set; }
        public Boolean rollbackRequired { get; set; }
        public Decimal overallScore { get; set; }
    }
}
```

### Continuous Improvement

```javascript
// Release retrospective framework
class ReleaseRetrospective {
  conductRetrospective(releaseId) {
    const retrospective = {
      releaseId: releaseId,
      date: new Date(),
      participants: this.getParticipants(),
      feedback: {
        whatWentWell: [],
        whatCouldImprove: [],
        actionItems: [],
      },
    };

    // Collect feedback
    retrospective.feedback = this.collectFeedback();

    // Analyze metrics
    const metrics = this.analyzeReleaseMetrics(releaseId);

    // Generate insights
    const insights = this.generateInsights(metrics, retrospective.feedback);

    // Create action items
    retrospective.actionItems = this.createActionItems(insights);

    // Document lessons learned
    this.documentLessonsLearned(retrospective);

    // Update best practices
    this.updateBestPractices(retrospective);

    return retrospective;
  }

  createActionItems(insights) {
    return insights.map((insight) => ({
      id: generateId(),
      description: insight.recommendation,
      priority: insight.priority,
      owner: this.assignOwner(insight),
      dueDate: this.calculateDueDate(insight.priority),
      status: 'Open',
    }));
  }
}
```

## Release Governance

### Release Review Board

```yaml
release_review_board:
  composition:
    - role: Release Manager
      responsibilities:
        - Overall release coordination
        - Risk management
        - Go/No-go decisions

    - role: Technical Lead
      responsibilities:
        - Technical readiness
        - Architecture review
        - Performance validation

    - role: Business Owner
      responsibilities:
        - Business readiness
        - UAT sign-off
        - User communication

    - role: Quality Lead
      responsibilities:
        - Test completion
        - Defect analysis
        - Quality metrics

  review_criteria:
    - All critical requirements completed
    - Test pass rate >= 95%
    - No critical defects open
    - Performance benchmarks met
    - Security scan passed
    - Documentation complete
    - Training delivered
    - Rollback plan tested
```

### Risk Management

```apex
// Release risk assessment
public class ReleaseRiskAssessment {
    public static RiskProfile assessRelease(String releaseId) {
        RiskProfile profile = new RiskProfile();

        // Technical risks
        profile.technicalRisks = assessTechnicalRisks(releaseId);

        // Business risks
        profile.businessRisks = assessBusinessRisks(releaseId);

        // Operational risks
        profile.operationalRisks = assessOperationalRisks(releaseId);

        // Calculate overall risk score
        profile.overallRiskScore = calculateRiskScore(profile);

        // Determine risk level
        profile.riskLevel = determineRiskLevel(profile.overallRiskScore);

        // Generate mitigation recommendations
        profile.mitigationStrategies = generateMitigationStrategies(profile);

        return profile;
    }

    private static List<Risk> assessTechnicalRisks(String releaseId) {
        List<Risk> risks = new List<Risk>();

        // Check code complexity
        if (getCodeComplexity(releaseId) > COMPLEXITY_THRESHOLD) {
            risks.add(new Risk(
                'High Code Complexity',
                'HIGH',
                'Additional testing and code review required'
            ));
        }

        // Check integration dependencies
        if (hasExternalDependencies(releaseId)) {
            risks.add(new Risk(
                'External Dependencies',
                'MEDIUM',
                'Coordinate with external teams'
            ));
        }

        return risks;
    }
}
```

## Best Practices Summary

1. **Plan Thoroughly**: Define clear objectives and success criteria
2. **Automate Everything**: From builds to deployments to monitoring
3. **Test Comprehensively**: Multiple levels of testing with clear criteria
4. **Communicate Proactively**: Keep all stakeholders informed
5. **Monitor Continuously**: Track metrics before, during, and after release
6. **Document Everything**: Maintain detailed records for audit and learning
7. **Practice Rollbacks**: Test rollback procedures before they're needed
8. **Learn and Improve**: Conduct retrospectives and implement learnings
9. **Manage Risks**: Identify and mitigate risks early
10. **Celebrate Success**: Recognize team achievements

## Additional Resources

- [Salesforce Release Management Guide](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.release_management_guide.htm)
- [Application Lifecycle Management](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.alm.meta/alm/)
- [Continuous Delivery Best Practices](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.sfdx_dev.meta/sfdx_dev/sfdx_dev_ci_cd.htm)
- [Release Management Trailhead](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/release-management)