concept#Product#Delivery#Agile Development
Feature Flags
Feature flags enable gradual rollout of features in software applications.
Feature flags are a powerful tool to enable or disable features independently of a release version.
Maturity
Established
Cognitive loadMedium
Classification
- ComplexityMedium
- Impact areaTechnical
- Decision typeDesign
- Organizational maturityAdvanced
Technical context
Integrations
CI/CD ToolsMonitoring ServicesFeedback Management Systems
Principles & goals
Maximizing User ExperienceContinuously Gather FeedbackMinimizing Risks
Value stream stage
Build
Organizational level
Team
Use cases & scenarios
Use cases
Scenarios
Compromises
Risks
- Risk of incorrect configuration
- Inadequate monitoring may cause issues
- Dependency on flags can slow down development
Best practices
- Train and involve teams
- Define clear guidelines for feature management
- Conduct regular reviews and adjustments
I/O & resources
Inputs
- Development documentation
- List of potential features
- Team capacities
Outputs
- Functional, tested features
- Feedback from users
- Improved user experience
Description
Feature flags are a powerful tool to enable or disable features independently of a release version. This enables agile development and testing of new functionalities in the production environment while minimizing risk.
✔Benefits
- Increased flexibility in feature rollouts
- Lower risk during deployment
- Better targeting of user segments
✖Limitations
- Complexity in managing many flags
- Potential performance trade-offs
- User misunderstanding of hidden features
Trade-offs
Metrics
- Activation Rate
Percentage of activated features.
- User Feedback
Ratings and comments from users.
- Error Rate
Frequency of issues with enabled features.
Examples & implementations
Rolling Out a New Dashboard
A company rolled out a new dashboard by initially enabling the feature flag only for selected users.
A/B Testing for New Layouts
By using feature flags, different layouts were tested simultaneously.
Feedback Integration
Feature flags allowed targeted integration of user feedback.
Implementation steps
1
Plan the feature rollout
2
Introduce the feature flag
3
Monitor and adjust
⚠️ Technical debt & bottlenecks
Technical debt
- Legacy systems not working with feature flags
- Technical debts from outdated flags
- Lack of adaptability to new technologies
Known bottlenecks
MonitoringMaintenanceUser Feedback
Misuse examples
- Activating features without tests
- Overlooking user feedback
- Insufficient documentation
Typical traps
- Failed rollouts
- Confusion over hidden features
- Lack of clear communication strategies
Required skills
Knowledge of feature managementExperience with CI/CDSkills in risk management
Architectural drivers
User AcceptanceIntegration into existing systemsAdaptability and flexibility
Constraints
- • Technical infrastructure must be in place
- • Developers must be trained
- • Clearly defined rollout strategies