Check Your changes.xml File

Since version 2.4 this plugin has a goal that checks that your changes.xml file has a valid release date.

You can attach this goal to the verify phase if you want the check to be performed automatically when you build the project.

Configuring the Plugin

Configure the plugin like this to tell it to check your changes.xml file.

<project>
  ...
  <build>
    <plugins>
      <plugin>
        <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
        <artifactId>maven-changes-plugin</artifactId>
        <version>2.12.1</version>
        <executions>
          <execution>
            <id>check-changes</id>
            <phase>verify</phase>
            <goals>
              <goal>changes-check</goal>
            </goals>
          </execution>
        </executions>
      </plugin>
    </plugins>
  </build>
  ...
</project>