Version Maintenance Window

Version maintenance window defines the period during which a design system version receives updates and fixes. Understanding maintenance windows helps consumers predict how long they can rely on a version before needing to upgrade. Clear windows enable planning and reduce surprise when support ends.

What Is Version Maintenance Window

A version maintenance window is the time period between a version’s release and its end of support. During this window, the version receives appropriate updates based on its support tier. After the window closes, the version reaches end of life and receives no further updates.

Maintenance windows vary by version type and support tier. Current release versions have open-ended windows that close when newer versions are released. Previous versions have fixed windows defined by policy. LTS versions have extended windows explicitly documented at designation.

How Version Maintenance Windows Work

Maintenance windows are defined by policy, tracked throughout version lifecycle, and communicated to consumers. This systematic approach ensures predictable support.

Window definition establishes how maintenance periods are calculated. Common approaches include fixed duration from release (such as 12 months of support), relative to subsequent releases (supported until two major versions later), or explicit dates set at release time. Consistent rules help consumers predict windows for new versions.

Lifecycle tracking monitors where versions are within their windows. Newly released versions are at the start of their windows with full maintenance capacity. Versions approaching window end receive reduced investment. Versions past their windows are unsupported. Tracking helps teams allocate maintenance effort appropriately.

Communication ensures consumers know current window status. Documentation shows window dates for each version. Announcements highlight window milestones like halfway points and impending closures. This visibility helps consumers plan upgrades before windows close.

Key Considerations

• Define window calculation rules consistently
• Document window dates prominently for each version
• Communicate window milestones proactively
• Align maintenance effort with window position
• Allow reasonable transition time at window end

Common Questions

How long should maintenance windows be?

Window duration depends on consumer upgrade capacity and team maintenance bandwidth. Longer windows serve consumers with slow upgrade cycles but require more maintenance investment. Shorter windows focus effort on current development but may stress consumers.

Enterprise-focused design systems often need twelve to eighteen month windows to accommodate corporate change processes. Startup-focused systems may use six to nine month windows matching faster iteration cycles. Gathering data about actual consumer upgrade patterns informs appropriate window length.

Starting with longer windows and shortening them risks consumer frustration. Starting with shorter windows and extending them if needed is safer. Consumer feedback about window adequacy should inform ongoing adjustments.

How do maintenance windows interact with release cadence?

Release cadence affects how many versions are within maintenance windows simultaneously. Frequent releases with fixed windows mean many concurrent supported versions. Infrequent releases with fixed windows mean fewer concurrent supported versions.

Some teams use relative windows that adjust based on release cadence. Supporting the current and one previous major version creates consistent concurrent support regardless of release timing. This approach adapts naturally to varying release frequencies.

Teams should consider total maintenance burden across all versions within windows. Releasing more frequently with fixed windows increases this burden. Release cadence and window duration should be considered together when setting policy.

Summary

Version maintenance windows define support periods for design system releases. Consistent definition, clear communication, and appropriate duration help consumers plan upgrades. Window policies should reflect consumer needs and team capacity, with adjustments based on experience and feedback.