The team has implemented a new development and release cycle for CWMS to enhance version stability and reliability, streamline the update process for Water Management offices, and support a consistent annual release schedule. The timeline is shown below. Key highlights of the updated cycle include:
- A February 1st cutoff for new feature submissions
- An extended Alpha Testing period from February 1 to May 31
- A two month Field Validation Testing period from June 1 to July 31
- A target release date of September 30th
Version Management Plan
The CWMS Version Management Plan, available on the Knowledge Management Portal, outlines which CWMS software versions are approved for use on production servers and workstations. The plan ensures compliance with STIG and sets expectations for timely software updates.
The goal is for all production systems to migrate to the latest version within three months of its release. Once a new version (“n”) is approved by the CWMS Program Manager, the previous version (“n-1”) will no longer be supported after three months. All offices are expected to transition to the new version within this timeframe.
If an office needs to continue using the older n-1 version beyond the support period, it must request a waiver from the CWMS Program Manager. Waivers may extend support for up to six months after the new version’s release and must include:
- Justification for why the older version cannot be removed
- Explanation of why the new version cannot yet be implemented
HEC may offer limited support for offices operating under an approved waiver; however, if technical issues arise, the recommended course of action will likely be to migrate to the supported n version.