This is a git branching strategy I've been thinking about:

http://pcottle.github.io/learnGitBranching/?NODEMO&command=git%20tag%20v40;%20git%20checkout%20-b%20v401;%20gc;%20git%20checkout%20-b%20v402;%20gc;%20git%20checkout%20v401;%20gc;%20git%20checkout%20master;%20git%20merge%20v401;%20git%20branch%20-d%20v401;%20git%20tag%20v401;%20git%20checkout%20v402;%20git%20merge%20master;%20gc;%20git%20checkout%20-b%20v403;%20gc;%20git%20checkout%20v402;%20gc;%20git%20checkout%20master;%20git%20merge%20v402;%20git%20branch%20-d%20v402;%20git%20tag%20v402;%20git%20checkout%20v403;%20git%20merge%20master;%20gc

    $ git tag v40
    $ git checkout -b v401
    $ git commit
    $ git checkout -b v402
    $ git commit
    $ git checkout v401
    $ git commit
    $ git checkout master
    $ git merge v401
    $ git branch -d v401
    $ git tag v401
    $ git checkout v402
    $ git merge master
    $ git commit
    $ git checkout -b v403
    $ git commit
    $ git checkout v402
    $ git commit
    $ git checkout master
    $ git merge v402
    $ git branch -d v402
    $ git tag v402
    $ git checkout v403
    $ git merge master
    $ git commit