PHP upgrade plan template

01

Inventory

Know the combination actually running.

PHP, extensions, server, operating system and configuration.Framework, Composer, packages and transitive dependencies.Services, jobs, queues, cron and integrations.Environments, data and differences from production.

02

Protection

Create a reference before change.

Critical flows and acceptance criteria.Automated tests and regression script.Error, latency and capacity baseline.Verified backup and restoration.

03

Compatibility

Resolve incompatibilities in sequence.

Deprecations and errors for the target version.Packages to upgrade, replace, isolate or retire.Configuration and extension changes.Data migrations separated where possible.

04

Rehearsal and release

Practice what will happen in production.

Representative environment and data.Automated or verifiable steps.Window, owners and communication.Rollback triggers and procedure.

05

Observation

Confirm the system still meets expectations.

Errors and logs compared with baseline.Performance and resources by flow.Jobs, integrations and data reconciled.Watch period and incident closure.

Recommended use

Turn answers into decisions

Assign an owner and exit evidence to every phase.
Do not mix unrelated improvements into the version change.
Rehearse rollback with the same care as release.
Keep a record of decisions and accepted risk.

Next step

Content connected to this decision

Continue with diagnosis, execution or related experience.