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Back in the day, testing used to happen right before they’d roll out the app.
The net result of this approach was an endless stream of bugs and errors that caught devs off-guard and needed urgent fixing when they thought their job was done. Frequent back-and-forths resulted in inevitable delays and a great deal of frustration.
Over time, however, software development processes have evolved, and the era of treating testing as an “afterthought” is over.
Shift-left testing emphasizes testing early and often during a software development lifecycle (SDLC) to dodge any last-minute surprises. The motive of the shift-left approach is to catch bugs and errors as soon as possible — ideally during the design and coding phases — before these could ensue to become a far bigger obstacle.
Embracing shift-left testing over the traditional waterfall approach has multiple benefits, including better code quality and reliable outcomes. This article sheds light on the shift-left testing, why it matters, and how to implement it. Key aspects covered inside are:
- What is shift-left testing?
- The benefits of shift-left testing
- Where can shift-left testing go wrong?
- Shift-left vs. Shift-right: An end-to-end comparison
- How to pivot to the shift-left approach?
Without taking up more of your time, let's begin!
What is shift-left testing?
To understand the shift-left approach, you must first grasp the traditional waterfall development methodology.
In the waterfall approach, the testing phase occurs as you move towards the “right” and precedes the deployment and maintenance stages. It’s a responsibility devs put their minds and energies to when an application is ready and about to be published.
In other words, security’s an overlooked aspect in the initial phases of the waterfall software development approach.
With shift-left, it moves to the “left” on the project timeline. It’s weaved across every stage of the project, with devs closely monitoring and fixing issues as they arise right from the start.
Key aspects of Shift-Left Testing are:
- Early testing: Testing begins at the start of the project, during design and coding stages.
- Frequent testing: Continuous testing throughout the development process.
Benefits of dealing with security using a premeditated approach results in a slew of business benefits. Problems are identified before they become complex and costly to fix. The final product is far more secure and reliable. And, development cycles ultimately transform as more agile, efficient, and cost-friendly.
Here’s how a typical shift-left software development approach looks like.
In short, shift-left testing is about being proactive with quality assurance, embedding it into every stage of development to catch issues early and ensure a better end product.
The benefits of shift-left testing
From the prism of efficiency, shift-left testing makes a resounding difference.
On keeping the testing requirements on the right side of the project lifecycle, devs are empowered to tackle the shifting requirements efficiently and confidently. With notorious elements put to place right from the start, there are no surprises that can derail the project later on.
As shorter feedback loops are an integral part of shift-left software testing, there’s more agility and flexibility built into an SDLC. Bugs get caught quicker, fixes happen smoother, and you can use what you’ve learned in one round for the next—just to start with.
Let’s walk you through the five fundamental benefits of going “left” with your testing.
1. Cost-efficiency
Shift-left testing saves costs by catching and fixing issues early, preventing expensive rework and customer support costs post-release. It minimizes resource-intensive debugging efforts and enhances overall project budget efficiency.
2. Better turnaround times
Early testing accelerates issue identification and resolution, enabling faster development cycles and timely product releases. Teams receive prompt feedback on code functionality, allowing them to iterate quickly and respond swiftly to market demands.
3. Reliable, resilient products
Addressing flaws early ensures stable software foundations. This proactive approach reduces critical failures, enhancing user experience and satisfaction with dependable products.
4. Improved quality
Continuous testing improves software quality by detecting and fixing defects early. It results in cleaner code and fewer bugs, meeting functional requirements reliably.
5. Developer well-being
Early testing reduces stress by minimizing last-minute crises and allowing for predictable workflows. It fosters a healthier work environment, promoting job satisfaction and retention.
Potential pitfalls of shift-left testing
From what can be understood so far, the shift-left approach empowers developers to iterate more and scramble less to fix last-minute bugs. It serves as an attractive avenue to transform development cycles as more efficient, qualitative, and smoother.
But, as they say, every rose has its thorn. While shift-left testing puts businesses in a spot of advantages, there are a few downsides that shouldn’t be overlooked.
1. Insufficient planning
Activating a full-proof plan for shift-left testing is a prerequisite for success. Failure to properly plan testing activities from the beginning can eventually lead to gaps in test coverage and missed defects.
2. Overwhelming developers
Testing “sooner and more often” might have a ring to it; however, expecting devs to take on a mammoth load of testing without providing adequate resources or training can result in burnout and lower quality code.
3. Improper tools and automation
For any testing procedure to be effective and result-driven, having the right set of tools is imperative. Without proper tools and automation software, early and frequent testing can become a chore.
4. Poor communication
With recurrent testing, it's crucial for developers, testers, and other stakeholders to communicate, share goals, and stay aligned. Lack of proper communication and collaboration channels, however, can result in misunderstandings and misaligned goals.
5. Neglecting end-user perspective
Focusing exclusively on the technical side and not enough on end-user experience can puncture the overall objective and can pave the way for a product that might meet requirements but fails to satisfy users.
6. Ignoring feedback loops
Shift-left testing is synonymous with continuous feedback. Not leveraging feedback from early testing phases means repeating the same mistakes and not improving the process. This is exactly where the shift-left testing approach can go all wrong.
7. Scope creep
Make it a point to cap off the testing process. Allowing testing to continually expand without clear boundaries can drain resources and delay project timelines.
Shift-left vs. Shift-right: An end-to-end comparison
In the modern software development landscape, the strategies of shift-left and shift-right are always at loggerheads, vying for the top spot. While both methodologies are pivotal in their own way, they cater to different needs and requirements of the software development lifecycle.
Comparison of shift-left and shift-right testing
| Aspect | Shift-left testing | Shift-right testing |
|---|---|---|
Focus | Early testing phases such as unit and integration testing | Testing focused on production and post-release environments |
Timing | Testing occurs early in the development lifecycle | Testing occurs later in the development or after deployment |
Objective | Detects defects early, improves code quality preemptively | Monitor performance, gather user feedback, and refine features |
Benefits | Reduces costs of fixing issues later, improves development speed | Enhances product usability, addresses real-world usage scenarios |
Challenges | Requires upfront investment in automation and tools | Dependent on production data and real user environments |
Tools | Emphasizes unit testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines | Monitoring tools, APMs (Application Performance Monitoring) |
Risk mitigation | Minimizes risk of major defects in final stages | Addresses performance and usability issues post-release |
Collaboration | Developers and testers work closely from the start | Involves collaboration with operations and customer support |
The verdict:
Consequently, the decision on whether to choose shift-left or shift-right depends on project goals, timelines, and the nature and capabilities of the software being developed.
Shift-left is an ideal bet where early defect detection has to be prioritized within agile development environments, whereas shift-right makes its case for ensuring robustness and usability in real-world scenarios.
Ultimately, combining elements of both approaches can provide a comprehensive testing strategy that optimizes software quality across its lifecycle.
How can you pivot to the shift-left software testing approach?
If you’re all pumped to tap into the many advantages of shift-left testing and gearing up to pivot, here are some key strategies to get started.
If you’re all pumped to tap into the many advantages of shift-left testing and gearing up to pivot, here are some key strategies to get started.
1. Demand planning
Demand planning is your kickoff point for everything else in the test lifecycle. Start by getting your test analysts in the loop with business and operational stakeholders to get a heads-up on future demands. This lets you sort out important stuff ahead of time like:
- Budgeting
- Resourcing
- Test strategies
2. Static testing
Do your static testing early on. This means checking out requirements and design right from the start. The goal is to catch defects early when they're easier and cheaper to fix. Use checklists to validate requirements and design, and make sure to log any defects into a defect management tool.
3. Unified test strategy
Create a unified test strategy that covers everything from unit testing to user acceptance testing (UAT), operational readiness testing (ORT), and even post-deployment testing. This strategy should lay out all phases of quality control and clearly define who’s responsible for what. It helps you keep track of dependencies on environments, stubs, automation, and test data so that everyone knows what they need to do.
4. Risk-based analysis
Use risk-based analysis to figure out the impact and likelihood of failure for each test scenario. This applies to functional, non-functional, and regression testing. Once you have your test cases set up, prioritize them based on your analysis. Talk with business analysts or designers about the impact of potential failures and get input from the development team on the likelihood of these failures.
By following these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to successfully shifting left with your software testing approach!
Key takeaway
Surprisingly or so, shift-left testing isn’t a concept that dawned on the industry lately. Back in the 1950’s, devs were pretty quick to realize the advantages of beginning testing early.
Regrettably, we got glued to the waterfall methodology over time that made independent testing teams a norm. The sheer ignorance led us to time lags between the development and testing phases as well as the quality deficiencies that we are grappling with today.
Shift-left testing has spotlighted “early testing,” and we see droves of software development companies tapping into its advantage. As the narrative gains traction, we expect to see more of its transformative impact in the near future.
