Question

What term describes the practice of initially releasing new features to a small group of users, then increasing the number of users who receive the updates over time?

Answer 1

Phased rollout, or staged rollout, is the practice of releasing new features to a small group first and then to a larger audience gradually. It aligns with the Technology Adoption Lifecycle, a model for the diffusion of innovations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The practice of rolling out new features to a small group of users before expanding the release to a broader audience is known as phased rollout or staged rollout. This strategy allows for the monitoring of user reactions and the identification of potential issues on a smaller scale, which can be addressed before the new features are made available to all users.

In the context of the Technology Adoption Lifecycle, a model developed by sociologist Everett Rogers in 1962, this practice can be seen as a way to manage the diffusion of innovations. Companies release their innovations to initial groups, such as early adopters, before moving on to the early majority and eventually reaching full market saturation. Although the exact pattern of adoption can vary, Rogers' model provides a framework for understanding how new technologies or features might be adopted by various segments of a market over time.