[SDK] Draft release sequencing and branching strategy

[laurabelinfante]

Summary

Draft a release sequencing and feature branching strategy for the SDK Plugin Enhancements work. Captures how breaking changes to spec/SDK ship without blocking patch fixes, using buckets of feature branches grouped by checkpoint.

Context

Multiple concurrent features (custom filters, transformation logic, plugin reference implementations) risk stepping on each other if shipped from a single main branch. Temporary feature branches needed despite team preference against them.

Use a clustering approach: group features by related objects that can be deployed independently. Two axes to consider:

• Release timing urgency (which checkpoint each feature targets)
• Implementation dependencies (e.g., transformation work is independent of client changes)

Acceptance criteria

• Branching strategy document drafted with feature buckets mapped to checkpoints
• Strategy reviewed and agreed by engineering team

[SnowboardTechie]

Draft strategy created, ready for team review https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2XKHQAYV7bDpkVGCAUmRnWVQshl7zmgmOpEIXbqGoY/edit?usp=sharing