Patent attributes
In an example implementation consistent with the features disclosed herein, network management system deployments with a large operational footprint are given a longer grace period before they are forced to upgrade than network management system deployments with a small operational footprint. Criticality scores for the network management system deployments are calculated based on the operational footprints of the network management system deployments. The network management system deployments are grouped into criticality groups based on the criticality scores for the network management system deployments. The network management system deployments are forced to upgrade within timelines that are based on the criticality groups in which the network management system deployments are grouped.