docs: enhance upgrade guide with alert formatting and decision matrix

content/admin/overview/about-upgrades-to-new-releases.md

@@ -20,12 +20,18 @@ All feature releases begin with at least one release candidate.
 
 ## Release candidates
 
+> [!CAUTION]
+> **Do not install a release candidate in a production environment.** Release candidate builds are intended solely for test and staging environments.
+
+> [!WARNING]
+> **Do not upgrade to a release candidate from a supported, earlier version.** Instead, install a release candidate in a new, test environment.
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> **Do not upgrade from the release candidate to later versions**, including generally available releases. Instead, destroy the release candidate environment.
+
 Release candidates are _proposed_ feature releases, with a complete feature set. There may be problems that can only be found by customers actually using the release.
 
-For performance, stability, and security reasons:
-* **Do not install a release candidate in a production environment.** Release candidate builds are intended solely for test and staging environments.
-* **Do not upgrade to a release candidate from a supported, earlier version.** Instead, install a release candidate in a new, test environment.
-* **Do not upgrade from the release candidate to later versions**, including generally available releases. Instead, destroy the release candidate environment.
+For performance, stability, and security reasons, follow these guidelines when testing release candidates.
 
 As you test a release candidate, please provide feedback by contacting support. See [AUTOTITLE](/support).
 
@@ -35,18 +41,38 @@ Each new release candidate adds bug fixes for issues found in prior versions. Wh
 
 Between feature releases, you can benefit from patch releases, which:
 
-* Consist of hot patches and bug fixes
-* Happen more frequently than feature releases
-* Are generally available when first released, with no release candidates
-* Typically require less than five minutes of downtime
+- Consist of hot patches and bug fixes
+- Happen more frequently than feature releases
+- Are generally available when first released, with no release candidates
+- Typically require less than five minutes of downtime
+
+## Decision matrix: Choosing your upgrade path
+
+| Release type | When to use | Expected downtime | Environment recommendation |
+|--------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------------|
+| **Stable Feature** | Production environments | 5-30 minutes | Recommended for production |
+| **Release Candidate** | Testing new features | Minimal | Test/staging only |
+| **Patch** | Bug fixes between features | <5 minutes | Production ready |
 
 ## Upgrading {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}
 
 There are two ways to upgrade {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}:
 
-* To set up a **completely new {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} instance** and configure the instance however you like, see [AUTOTITLE](/admin/installation/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance) and [AUTOTITLE](/admin/configuration/configuring-your-enterprise).
-* To upgrade your **existing instance** to a new release, see [AUTOTITLE](/admin/upgrading-your-instance/preparing-to-upgrade/overview-of-the-upgrade-process).
+### Option 1: New instance
+Set up a **completely new {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} instance** and configure the instance however you like.
+
+**Steps:**
+- See [AUTOTITLE](/admin/installation/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance)
+- Then see [AUTOTITLE](/admin/configuration/configuring-your-enterprise)
+
+### Option 2: Existing instance upgrade
+Upgrade your **existing instance** to a new release.
+
+**Steps:**
+- See [AUTOTITLE](/admin/upgrading-your-instance/preparing-to-upgrade/overview-of-the-upgrade-process)
 
 ## Further reading
 
-* [{% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap %}]({% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap_link %}) in the `github/roadmap` repository
+- [{% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap %}]({% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap_link %}) in the `github/roadmap` repository
+- [AUTOTITLE](/admin/upgrading-your-instance/preparing-to-upgrade/overview-of-the-upgrade-process)
+- [AUTOTITLE](/admin/installation/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance)