1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, into memory, first data comprising at least one configuration parameter that characterizes an intended deployment of software and a target computer system on which the software is to be deployed, the at least one parameter describing i) performance capabilities of information technology personnel slated to deploy the software and ii) an estimated post-deployment load on the software based at least in part on predicted use of the software following deployment; calculating a pilot stage deployment risk level based on the first data including the performance capabilities of the information technology personnel relative a recommended performance capability for personnel deploying the software and the estimated post-deployment load on the software; determining whether the calculated pilot stage deployment risk level is less than a first threshold risk level; if the pilot stage deployment risk level is determined to be less than the first threshold risk level, transmitting second data to the target computer system authorizing deployment of the software in a pilot stage, the second data including an indication of at least one feature of the software to be disabled during deployment of the software; receiving configuration data characterizing a configuration state of the software in the pilot stage, the configuration data including an updated estimate of post-deployment load on the software based at least in part on configuration settings of the software during the pilot stage; calculating a production stage deployment risk level based on the configuration data including the performance capabilities of the information technology personnel relative a recommended performance capability for personnel deploying the software and the updated estimate of post-deployment load on the software; and if the production stage deployment risk level is determined to be less than a second threshold risk level, transmitting third data to the target computer system authorizing deployment of the software in a production stage, the third data including authorization to enable the at least one previously disabled feature of the software.