Fix the date or the scope.
A release plan joins a goal, a scope and a forecast. Something has to give when reality arrives. Decide what, in advance.
Release goal
Step 01
The outcome this release must deliver.
EXAMPLE
“SMEs can move their numbers to us.”
Scope
Step 02
The slices from your story map (Day 35).
EXAMPLE
Must-haves, then nice-to-haves.
Forecast
Step 03
A range with confidence levels (Day 47).
EXAMPLE
85% and 95% dates.
What's fixed
Step 04
Date or scope. Quality is never the variable.
EXAMPLE
Agreed before starting.
Fix the date or the scope. Never both.