Shift Left Approach to QA

At PROTOTYP, we’re committed to delivering products that not only meet expectations but exceed them.

One of the ways we ensure this is by embracing the Shift Left approach to quality assurance (QA). But what exactly is Shift Left, and how can it benefit your next development project? Let’s dive in.

What is the Shift Left Approach?

The Shift Left approach flips this on its head. Instead of waiting for the end, testing and quality control are shifted left, meaning they’re incorporated much earlier in the development lifecycle.

Practically, this means that QA involvement starts the moment we begin planning a project, ensuring that quality is built into every stage—from concept to delivery.

In traditional software development, testing typically occurs at the end of the process—after the product is built, the code is written, and most decisions have already been made.

This often leads to last-minute bugs, delayed releases, and higher costs to fix issues that could have been caught earlier. It shouldn't have to be like that.

Why Shift Left?

Why are we so keen about this approach? Here are a few compelling reasons:

1. Catch Bugs Early (and Fix Them Cheaply)

In software development, the earlier you catch a bug, the cheaper it is to fix. In fact, defects found during the design phase can be up to 100 times cheaper to resolve than those found after release (Segue Technologies, Why Software Fails).

By involving QA early and collaborating closely with developers, we ensure quality is built into every stage—from design to delivery. This proactive approach with early testing practices results in a higher success rate, increasing from 29% to 64% (The Curious Case of the CHAOS Report 2009).

Real-World Example: Consider a financial software application where a bug in the payment processing feature is found late in development. If detected earlier, the fix would be inexpensive.

However, finding it in production could lead to costly transaction errors, customer dissatisfaction, and increased costs. By shifting left, we prevent such issues before they reach the user, ensuring a more stable product from the beginning.

2. Faster Feedback Loops

The Shift Left mentality allows for continuous testing. We don’t wait until all the code is written; instead, testing happens as we develop.

Automated unit tests, integration tests, and static code analysis run alongside code development, giving us immediate feedback on every change. This allows us to address issues in real-time, speeding up your project’s overall timeline.

Real-World Example: In a mobile app development project, incorporating automated tests in the CI/CD pipeline ensures that each new feature or code change is tested immediately.

This allows developers to address issues in real-time rather than waiting for a complete build, reducing integration problems and speeding up the development cycle.

3. Better Collaboration Between Teams

Shift Left promotes a culture of collaboration. Rather than working in silos, our teams work together throughout the entire development process. QA, developers, designers, and product owners share responsibility for quality, creating a more cohesive and efficient workflow.

This approach also guarantees that everyone is aligned on the project goals—meaning fewer misunderstandings and more innovation.

Real-World Example: During the development of a new feature for Propoze, our custom proposal builder tool, regular meetings between developers, designers, QA, and product managers ensure that all aspects of the feature are considered, from user experience to technical feasibility.

This collaborative approach leads to better alignment on objectives and smoother project execution.

4. Reduced Risk of Major Delays

In traditional models, if a major issue is found late in the process, the entire project can come to a standstill.

With Shift Left, this risk is significantly reduced. Testing is ongoing, and any issues that do arise are caught early enough to be fixed without derailing the entire timeline.

Real-World Example: For a healthcare application, early testing of new features and integrations helps identify potential issues with data accuracy or regulatory compliance before they become critical.

This proactive approach reduces the risk of major delays that could arise from compliance issues or data integrity problems.

5. Support for Agile and DevOps Practices

The Shift Left approach aligns perfectly with Agile and DevOps methodologies. In Agile, where development happens in short, iterative sprints, continuous feedback is critical to delivering value.

Shift Left enables us to integrate testing into each sprint, rather than treating it as a separate phase. This continuous integration ensures flexibility and adaptability to changes in scope or priorities.

Real-World Example: In a DevOps environment, integrating automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline allows for continuous integration and delivery. As new code is committed, it’s automatically tested and deployed, enabling rapid iteration and quick adaptation to user feedback.

How We Implement Shift Left at PROTOTYP

At PROTOTYP, Shift Left is at the core of how we work. Here’s how we bring it to life in our projects:

1. Early Involvement of QA

We get our QA engineers involved right from the very beginning of the project. They’re part of the discussions around requirements, design, and user stories, helping to identify potential risks on time and ensuring that quality is a consideration at every step.

2. Automated Testing

Automated tests are integrated into the Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. Any code committed triggers a series of tests, including unit tests, integration tests, and static code analysis. This provides fast feedback on code quality and ensures that issues are caught early.

3. Continuous Feedback and Iteration

Our Agile teams work in short, iterative sprints, and each sprint is accompanied by thorough testing. This keeps feedback continuous, driving improvement at every stage. Any issues identified are fed back into the next sprint to maintain momentum without sacrificing quality.

4. Exploratory Testing

In addition to automated tests, we perform exploratory testing early and often. This helps us find edge cases and catch hidden defects that may not get caught through automation.

We believe that automation should augment—not replace—human creativity in ensuring a comprehensive approach to quality.

What This Means for Your Projects

When you partner with PROTOTYP, you’re not just getting a development team—you’re getting a quality-first approach.

Our Shift Left methodology ensures that we’re building a product that’s not only functional but also robust, secure, and scalable from the start. Here’s what you can expect:

• Reduced Time to Market: Faster feedback loops and fewer last-minute bugs mean we can deliver projects on time—without ever compromising on quality.
• Lower Costs: By catching issues early, we save you the cost of fixing them later.
• Better Collaboration: We work closely with you throughout the project, ensuring that your vision is realized in the best possible way.
• Continuous Improvement: We’re always looking for ways to improve, both in our code and in how we work. With Shift Left, we’re committed to ongoing quality enhancements that benefit your project.

Conclusion

At PROTOTYP, we believe that quality simply cannot be an afterthought. By embracing the Shift Left approach, we’re able to deliver better products, faster.

Our proactive testing strategy ensures that we catch issues early, reduce risks, and create seamless, high-quality digital experiences for our clients.

Ready to Shift Left? Get in Touch Today.