What Is Shift Left Testing? And Why Is It So Relevant?

If you've ever been involved in a software project that suffered from budget constraints or missed deadlines, you're certainly not alone. Surprisingly, improper planning isn't always to blame for projects running out of time; instead, the real culprit often lies in the way code validation is conducted. This is where the importance of software testing comes into play, specifically the need for testing to be carried out earlier and more frequently in the project's lifecycle. Enter the "shift left" testing approach, a proposed solution to this predicament. By shifting testing to the early stages of development, projects can minimize the number of bugs and enhance code quality. The ultimate goal is to eliminate critical bugs during the deployment phase, avoiding the need for patching. In this article, we'll delve into the concepts of shift left testing and explore how you can incorporate this approach into your organization. Intrigued? Let's embark on the journey towards achieving a bug-free deployment phase.

What is Shift Left Testing?

In the software development industry, the shift left movement has gained traction by advocating for a change in the traditional testing approach. Instead of relegating testing to the latter stages of the software development life cycle; the focus is shifted earlier—hence the term "shift left." This paradigm shift aims to steer clear of the pitfalls associated with solely conducting testing at the end of the development process. By introducing testing in the early stages of software development; we can proactively address potential issues and ensure higher quality throughout the entire life cycle.

Historically; software development followed a sequential model where stakeholders primarily emphasized attention to detail and quality during the later phases, particularly testing and deployment. Unfortunately; this approach often led to developers or product owners encountering unforeseen problems that were not adequately addressed by tests. Rectifying such issues at a late stage proved to be exorbitantly expensive and time-consuming; sometimes even requiring a complete redesign of the application.

To encounter these challenges; the concept of shift left testing emerged; emphasizing the involvement of the testing team as early as possible in the software development process. By doing so; we can catch potential flaws and glitches in the nascent stages; minimizing the risk of encountering critical bugs and streamlining the overall development journey.

Shift Left Testing in Agile Environment:

The term "shift left" derives from the idea of testing early and frequently, with the leftmost position representing the earliest phase. While traditional sequential methodologies placed testing toward the end of development, agile embraces continuous activities within shorter cycles. Shift left testing aligns well with agile principles; integrating testing as an integral part of the development process. Agile methodologies encourage incremental code development and emphasize the importance of testing after each code increment. Organizations can further enhance the shift left approach by adopting practices like test-driven development (TDD) and leveraging static analysis tools. Additionally, behavior-driven development (BDD) promotes cross-team collaboration and accelerates the shift left movement by establishing a shared language among stakeholders. By embracing shift left testing in an agile context, organizations can improve code quality, enhance collaboration and accelerate feature delivery.

What are the benefits of Shift Left Testing?

Shift left testing brings several key benefits to the software development process. Firstly; it helps reduce costs by detecting bugs earlier, as these issues are generally less expensive to fix compared to those found in later stages. Secondly, it enhances efficiency by integrating testing earlier in the development cycle, allowing for quicker identification and resolution of issues. Thirdly, product quality is significantly improved as more bugs are caught in the early stages, ensuring a higher standard of the final product. Additionally, shift left testing contributes to a reduced time to market, as the QA process becomes more streamlined. Finally, it grants development teams a competitive advantage by enabling faster iterations, fostering innovation, and building credibility in delivering high-quality software.

Tips to implement Shift Left Testing Approach:

To implement the shift left testing approach effectively, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, involve developers in testing activities by having them test their code before merging it into the main branch. This helps ensure cleaner and less error-prone code and allows for easier testing of individual code units.

Secondly; introduce testers to coding to enhance their ability to contribute to the development process. While they don't need to be experts, basic coding skills enable them to participate in code reviews, implement quick fixes, and be valuable contributors to sprint teams.

Next, include testers early on in the development process; starting from the brainstorming sessions. This helps them understand the project's fundamental concepts and design relevant tests for the Continuous Testing stage. Their presence also facilitates better communication between developers and testers, helping to identify potential bugs and avoid them.

Furthermore, keep testability in mind while coding. Collaboration and a team effort are crucial for successful shift left testing. Developers should proactively consider how to make their code more testable, such as exposing hooks or creating unique identifiers for elements. This mindset promotes code quality and operational stability.

By following these steps and fostering collaboration; organizations can effectively implement the shift left testing approach that will lead to improved software quality, reduced costs, and enhanced efficiency in the development process.

Best Practices One Should Follow Shift Left Testing in Agile Environment:

To ensure successful shift-left testing in an agile environment, it's essential to follow best practices. Firstly, plan for shift-left testing by shaping development processes early on and creating test strategies aligned with the approach. This includes considering product expectations and team limitations.

Using static code analysis is crucial for identifying programming errors, violations of coding standards, syntax anomalies and security issues. Automating static code analysis enables comprehensive scanning of untested code before it reaches the QA stage. Any flagged issues should be carefully examined by developers or testers to confirm their validity and address them accordingly.

Continuously providing feedback throughout the software lifecycle is essential for identifying gaps, gaining valuable insights, and improving overall performance. It allows for prompt identification and resolution of issues, while also offering valuable observations on emerging trends during testing. This iterative feedback loop not only benefits the current project but also enhances future endeavors, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

It's important to specify quality standards and communicate them to developers who may not have extensive testing training. QA professionals should outline the expected level of quality; performance and operational success for the code. This clarity helps developers run effective tests and understand which bugs are non-negotiable and which ones can be forwarded to QAs for further investigation. Establishing software quality standards also guides developers in applying the appropriate rigor to detect bugs in their own code.

Final Note:
Conducting tests on real mobile devices is crucial for effective software testing. Emulators or simulators cannot provide accurate results, limiting the ability to evaluate code quality. Relying on such results may compromise the development process and software quality. Whether it's manual testing or automated Selenium testing, real devices are essential. If an in-house device lab is not available, cloud-based testing infrastructure offers a wide range of real browsers and devices for comprehensive testing in real user conditions. With access to various device-browser-OS combinations, developers can simulate different scenarios and ensure high-quality software.

Implementing the shift left testing approach in mobile software testing services is crucial for enhancing code quality and minimizing bugs. By incorporating testing early in the development process, organizations can reduce costs, improve efficiency, enhance product quality and shorten time to market. In an agile environment; shift left testing aligns well with continuous development practices and can be further supported by test-driven development and static analysis tools. By embracing shift left testing and leveraging real devices, organizations can achieve bug-free deployments and deliver superior mobile software.