Systems and methods include obtaining a catalog for a “to” software release and details of a controller of a network element operating a “from” software release, wherein the software releases are associated with the network element, and wherein the controller has a file system associated therewith; determining a delivery technique for a software load of the “to” software release based on the catalog and the details of the controller; and causing delivery of the software load to the file system based on the determined delivery technique, wherein the causing is one of automatic and subsequent to a user command. The delivery technique can be one of i) a full delivery, including all files in the catalog, ii) a minimal delivery, including only files in the catalog needed based on modules present in the network element, and iii) a hybrid delivery, between the full and minimal delivery.