However, from the perspective of a tester, we don’t usually have a say in whether or not the software deployment process is automated.

Automating it ourselves, whilst saving time, puts us in the unfortunate situation where deployment no longer matches production.

So any developers who are reading: Listen to Grant and automate your deployment process. Ideally you should be aiming at the “one-click install” goal.

And while I’m here, testers: test that the uninstall process leaves the system in a valid state.

I’m a big believer of getting it deployed early – exercise that “deployment muscle”.

Even if it’s a blank website, or a form with a button on it – spend the time, build your deployment packages, automate where it makes sense, and deploy it through the environments.

I’ve implemented “manually-initiated automatic deployments” before, and the payoff is amazing.