Benefits of implementing a "Shift Left" approach?

?? Imagine you're building a house ??Traditionally, you would wait until the house is almost finished before you start to inspect it for quality and identify any problems. This is similar to how software development was traditionally done, with testing and quality assurance activities happening at the end of the development process.

Shift left is like starting to inspect the house as you are building it??♀???. This means that you can identify and fix problems early on when they are much easier and less expensive to fix. This can help to prevent major problems from arising later on in the project.

Here are some specific examples of how shift left can be applied to building a house:

???Checking the foundation: Instead of waiting until the house is completely built to check that the foundation is level and stable, you can check it as soon as it is poured. This will help to prevent problems with the house settling or cracking later on.

???Inspecting the framing: As the framing is being erected, you can inspect it to make sure that it is properly aligned and that all of the joints are secure. This will help to prevent the house from being structurally unsound.

????Testing the wiring and plumbing: As the wiring and plumbing are being installed, you can test them to make sure that they are working properly. This will help to prevent electrical fires and plumbing leaks later on.

By shifting testing and quality assurance activities to the left, you can help to ensure that your house is built to a high standard and that it will last for many years to come.

In the Software world, Shift Left is a software development methodology that emphasizes moving testing, quality assurance, and performance evaluation activities earlier in the development process. This means that these activities are no longer considered afterthoughts but are instead integrated into the development process from the very beginning.

Benefits of shift left:

?? Enhanced Quality: Identifying and rectifying flaws early in the development process can greatly boost the quality of software products. It's easier and cheaper to address issues when caught early. ??

?? Cost Savings: Shifting left can also cut down the overall expenses of software development. It helps avoid the costly rework often needed when defects are discovered late in the development process. ??

?? Quicker Time to Market: By moving testing and quality assurance activities earlier, organizations can accelerate product launches. They can have more confidence in the product's quality, reducing the risk of major issues after release. ???

How to implement shift left:

There are several different ways to implement shift left. Some common approaches include:

?? Test-driven development (TDD): TDD is a software development approach where tests are crafted before writing the code. This ensures that the code is structured for easy testing and meets quality standards. ?????

?? Continuous integration (CI): CI is the practice of automating building and testing, providing developers with instant code feedback to swiftly spot and resolve issues. ????

?? Continuous delivery (CD): CD automates the software release process, enabling more frequent and smoother software releases for organizations. ????

Challenges of shift left:

While shift left offers several benefits, it also presents some challenges. Some common challenges include:

• Changing culture: Shift left requires a significant change in the way that organizations develop and test software. This can be difficult, as it requires buy-in from all levels of the organization.
• Training: Implementing shift left requires that developers and testers be trained in new skills and techniques. This can be a significant investment of time and resources.
• Tooling: Implementing shift left may require new tools and infrastructure. This can be an additional expense.

In conclusion, Shift Left is a powerful approach that can help to improve the quality, reduce the cost, and accelerate the time to market software products. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges involved in implementing shift left and to be prepared to make the necessary changes to your organization and processes.

I hope you discover it to be valuable.

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Thank you for dedicating your time to reading. Keep learning and enjoying the journey! ??

#Agile, #Scrum,

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Disclaimer: This post is written by the author in his capacity and doesn’t reflect the views of any other organization and/or person.

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