1. A computer-implemented method for managing computing device, the method comprising: under control of one or more processors configured with specific executable instructions, obtaining version update information corresponding to a goal state for a set of computing devices; identifying two or more subsets of computing devices of the set of computing devices for a controlled distribution of modifications to an operating environment or software applications in accordance with an implementation of the goal state; incorporating the distribution of modifications into a version filter applicable to the set of computing devices; applying the version filter to at least one computing device of at least one of the two or more subsets of computing devices; and causing an update to the at least one computing device in accordance with the distribution of modifications.