Quality gate A required check before a change can ship (tests, review, security scan, checklist). Gates make quality repeatable instead of aspirational.
Regression checklist A short, stable list of user-critical flows verified before release. It reduces risk by protecting what matters most.
Release readiness A go/no-go decision supported by evidence (test results, known issues, monitoring status, rollback plan), not optimism.
Delivery governance The rules that make shipping safe: how decisions are made, what evidence is required, who approves, and how work is traced.
Human-in-the-loop A workflow where automation drafts or verifies, but humans retain judgment on intent, risk, and acceptance.
Traceability A clear link from decision → change → verification → outcome. It enables audits, calmer incidents, and predictable iteration.
Staging parity How closely staging matches production behavior. Higher parity reduces release surprises and improves debugging.
