Analytical Software Patch Management

A method, in a data processing system, for applying a maximum number of software patches to each computing system in a set of computing systems in a maintenance window, the method comprising:

• grouping, by a processor in the data processing system, a set of computing systems into a plurality of computing system groups based on characteristics associated with each computing system, the plurality of computing system groups comprising at least two different groups of computing systems that differ in implementation of previous software patches;
• for each group of computing systems, bundling, by the processor, a set of pending software patches based on characteristics associated with that group of computing systems thereby forming a plurality of bundles of pending software patches, wherein the plurality of bundles of pending software patches comprises at least two different sets of pending software patches;
• and
• for the plurality of computing systems, applying, by the processor, an associated bundle of pending software patches to an associated group of computing systems.