This role aims to take only those components of the project that have met the appropriate criteria (e.g. tested, documented) and release them in as clear and concise a manner as is possible.
It requires a matrix view of the product lifecycle - each feature consists of supporting content in hardware, software and technical documentation (to name but three) and as it passes through system test each feature changes in its readiness-for-deployment. Usually, new features get combined with bug fixes, so there is both new content and changes to existing content to be considered.
The review cycle and database reports that CogniDox provides is a boon for the Release Manager.
Another useful tool in CogniDox is the Document Holder concept.
Document Holders are XML formatted documents that relate one or more CogniDox managed documents together. A Document Holder file type is a plain text XML file with a specific format. A basic Document Holder consists of an XML element named documentHolder containing an optional introduction element, and then a required sections element that contains the document references.
When viewed in CogniDox, Document Holders are automatically formatted into a web page which contains links and information about the documents referenced in the Document Holder. A good example of usage is where a Release Manager builds a document holder that references all the key elements of a release - documentation, source code, errata, etc. - and then makes the web view document available to all customers with an up-to-date support agreement.
The Benefit? You can use Document Holders to make a useful summary or package list of files held within CogniDox (e.g. to create a list of known software and documentation versions that can be used in conjunction with each other). You can submit this to review procedures and it can be released (as an end-document rather than sections) to customers when ready.
For Release Managers