Exploring Shift-Left Testing Types and Benefits in Modern DevOps
While software testing is crucial for ensuring quality, its timing is as important as its efficiency. When testing is conducted, it can significantly impact the overall success of the project.
Statistics collected from software houses and development teams support an early testing approach known as shift-left testing. IBM’s System Science Institute reports that the cost of fixing a bug detected during the maintenance phase can be up to 100 times higher than finding a solution for defects discovered during the design phase. The message is clear: regardless of your project, the earlier you start testing, the better.
So, what exactly is shift-left testing, and what are its advantages, particularly for modern DevOps teams? Read this article to learn more.
Shift-Left Testing and Its Types
The main aspect of shift-left testing (https://www.executiveautomats.com/resources/articles/shift-left-testing-types-and-benefits) that differentiates it from other testing methodologies is the timing of its performance. Unlike traditional testing, which is often completed closer to the end of the development process or even after the development phase, shift-left testing is ideally integrated into all development process steps, including the product design phase.
While the general idea behind shift-left testing is to start testing the software product as early as possible, this approach has several variations. The major ones are discussed below.
Traditional Shift-Left Testing
Traditional shift-left testing focuses on introducing testing processes into the early phases of the product lifecycle, preferably during the requirements and design phases.
This strategy primarily incorporates unit and integration testing, helping to establish a solid foundation for the development process. However, it concentrates on early-cycle issues and is more typical for teams working based on the waterfall or V-model methodologies.
Incremental Shift-Left Testing
Incremental shift-left testing builds on this approach by emphasizing regression testing in addition to unit and integration testing. It also prioritizes more frequent testing to provide continuous feedback, such as testing progressively with each component or feature of the software or the results of smaller increments. To achieve these goals, companies should allocate a budget for robust automation, which is often essential in this scenario.
Although the QA and development communities also recognize a distinct Agile/DevOps shift-left testing approach discussed below, incremental shift-left testing is well-suited for iterative development models like Agile.
Agile/DevOps Shift-Left Testing
The Agile/DevOps shift-left testing approach takes continuous testing to the next level by embedding testing throughout the entire product lifecycle. It breaks development projects into even shorter sprints. It applies to developmental testing, a major component of incremental shift-left and operational testing aligned with the DevOps methodology.
To leverage Agile/DevOps shift-left testing, teams must rely heavily on automation and infrastructure. This approach also requires a significant cultural shift to ensure smooth collaboration between development and operations specialists.
Model-Based Shift-Left Testing
Model-based shift-left testing is a specific instance of the approach suitable for testing complex systems and projects with detailed requirements. This approach allows teams to create system models, and tests are then performed based on the simulation of these models, which requires appropriate model-based testing tools.
The major strengths of this testing approach include comprehensive scenario testing and early detection of logic issues. However, performing such testing requires a specialized skill set to create and maintain these complex models.
What Does Shift-Left Testing Cover?
As discussed above, the types of tests included in shift-left testing depend on the specific methodology employed. For example, model-based testing (MBT) might not be used by teams following traditional, incremental, or Agile/DevOps shift-left testing approaches. However, here is a list of some popular types of testing that may be incorporated into various shift-left testing strategies:
- Static testing that examines the source code without executing it, focusing on detecting potential issues such as security vulnerabilities, code smells, or violations of coding standards;
- Unit testing, ensuring that individual software components work correctly in isolation;
- Integration testing that focuses on the interactions between different software components;
- Performance testing that evaluates how the software performs under different conditions;
- Security testing that involves detecting vulnerabilities to ensure the software is secure;
- API testing that assesses the reliability, performance, and functionality of application programming interfaces (APIs).
To facilitate shift-left testing, teams can also adopt development strategies such as:
- Test-Driven Development (TDD);
- Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD);
- Behavior-Driven Development (BDD).
Reasons to Adopt Shift-Left Testing in Modern DevOps Teams
As mentioned earlier, shift-left testing helps companies save significant money. The earlier and more frequently testing is performed, the easier it is to detect and resolve bugs. This means fewer resources are required for the process, reducing costs and greater cost efficiency. DevOps teams can benefit from continuous testing and feedback facilitated by shift-left testing, accelerating the development and delivery of higher-quality products. This is essential for customer satisfaction and alignment with business goals.
Final Thoughts
While not all types of shift-left testing may meet the requirements of teams working according to the DevOps methodology, the variations of the approach designed for DevOps can be a crucial strategic move. They allow companies to significantly reduce costs, enhance software quality, and accelerate product delivery. To ensure that test automation can be effectively implemented in your DevOps team, it is essential to choose the right tool, such as Executive Automats, which supports the critical aspects of testing in DevOps.
