Prototype, MVP, pilot & release stages · Working

Release candidate

Also called: RC

ELI5

A nearly final version awaiting last checks.

Used in conversation

“The release candidate passed regression testing.”

Definition

A product build believed ready for release unless final testing finds significant problems.

Here “Release candidate” means: A product build believed ready for release unless final testing finds significant problems.

Pitch context

You will see “Release candidate” in product strategy decks, roadmaps, experiments and architecture reviews when the discussion reaches prototype, mvp, pilot & release stages.

Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret prototype, mvp, pilot & release stages without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.

Sources & evidence · 2

Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.

Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16