In recent years, testing practices have evolved significantly. Test automation engineers are not just responsible for testing software before it reaches production; they are now key players in maintaining the health of systems post-deployment.

Shift-right testing is at the heart of this change, focusing on testing and monitoring live systems in production to ensure stability and performance. Combined with the traditional shift-left approach, which emphasizes testing early in the development lifecycle, shift-right testing enables companies to build more reliable, resilient software. 

In this post, we'll explore the value of shift-right testing, the role of test automation engineers in creating production monitoring and smoke tests, and why combining both shift-left and shift-right approaches is crucial for companies. 

Shift-Left and Shift-Right Testing: A Quick Overview 

Traditionally, the focus in software testing has been on shift-left testing—moving testing tasks earlier in the development process. This approach helps identify bugs, performance issues, and potential security vulnerabilities during the design and development phases. By catching issues early, shift-left testing reduces the cost and time associated with fixing problems later on. More information can be found on a previous blog by Patrick Van Ingelgem about shift-left testing. 

https://bignited.be/blog/shift-left-testing:-a-proactive-approach-to-software-quality

However, no matter how thorough pre-deployment testing is, the production environment is unique. Issues can arise once software is exposed to real-world traffic, user behaviors, and infrastructure challenges. That's where shift-right testing comes in. It focuses on testing after deployment, ensuring software remains healthy and performant in its actual operating environment. 

The Role of Test Automation Engineers in Shift-Right Testing 

As test automation engineers, we are increasingly involved in ensuring software behaves as expected not only before but also after release. Our role in shift-right testing is vital, as we create systems that continually monitor production environments, develop automated health checks, and perform smoke tests to ensure core functionalities are operational. 

1.Building Monitoring Tools 

One of our key responsibilities is creating and maintaining monitoring tools that provide real-time insights into the production environment. Effective monitoring tools can detect anomalies, performance 

degradation, or failures in critical services. Tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or even custom-built monitoring systems can be used to track metrics such as response times, error rates, and resource utilization. 

Real-time monitoring allows teams to respond to issues quickly, sometimes before end users even notice. With these tools, test automation engineers provide continuous oversight of software health in production, ensuring systems are resilient and reliable. 

2.Developing Smoke Tests for Production 

Another crucial aspect of shift-right testing is the creation of automated smoke tests. These tests validate the core functionalities of the software post-deployment. For example, a smoke test might verify that users can log in, submit forms, or complete purchases—all critical features that must work in production. 

Automating these tests means they can be run frequently, ensuring that any issues in production are detected immediately. This continuous validation builds confidence in the systemʼs reliability, minimizing the risk of undetected failures. 

3.Providing Real-Time Feedback through Automation 

Automation is a powerful tool in shift-right testing. By automating both monitoring and smoke tests, we create a real-time feedback loop that allows teams to respond quickly to production issues. Automated tests can be triggered on a regular schedule or based on specific events (such as a new deployment), ensuring that no part of the system is overlooked. 

With this automation in place, we donʼt have to wait for customers to report problems—our systems detect issues in real-time, allowing for rapid response and resolution. 

The Value of Combining Shift-Left and Shift-Right Testing 

While shift-left testing catches issues early, shift-right testing ensures stability in real-world conditions. Together, they form a holistic approach to quality that covers the entire software lifecycle.  

1. Comprehensive Coverage 

Combining shift-left and shift-right testing provides complete coverage from development to production. Shift-left testing helps engineers catch bugs early, reducing costs and development time. Shift-right testing ensures that software continues to work as expected in real-world conditions, catching issues that only surface under actual user load or infrastructure limitations. 

2.Proactive and Reactive Testing 

Shift-left is a proactive approach, allowing us to prevent issues before they reach production. Shift-right testing, on the other hand, is more reactive—enabling engineers to monitor and resolve problems as they arise in the live environment. By combining both strategies, companies can be both preventative and responsive, ensuring greater stability and fewer disruptions. 

3.Continuous Improvement 

Shift-right testing provides valuable insights that feed back into the development process. For example, if monitoring detects performance issues in production, this information can be used to optimize the codebase, refine test cases, or improve infrastructure. By continuously learning from production, teams can improve future releases, making their software more robust over time. 

Why Shift-Right Testing is Crucial for Modern Companies 

In todayʼs fast-paced development cycles, software is often pushed to production rapidly. But the production environment is complex and unpredictable, making it essential for companies to have robust shift-right testing in place.  

1. Real-World Insights 

Shift-right testing provides real-world insights into how software performs under actual user conditions. Even the best pre-deployment tests canʼt replicate all the variables present in a live environment. By continuously monitoring production, companies gain a deeper understanding of their softwareʼs performance, reliability, and usability. 

2.Resilience and Reliability 

Automated health checks and smoke tests in production increase system resilience by catching issues before they impact users. These tests provide early warning signs of potential failures, allowing teams to address problems quickly and prevent costly downtime. 

3.Cost Efficiency 

The cost of fixing issues in production can be high, especially if they lead to customer dissatisfaction or data loss. Shift-right testing reduces these risks by providing immediate feedback on the health of production systems. By catching and resolving issues early, companies can avoid costly outages and maintain a high level of service quality. 

Conclusion 

Incorporating both shift-left and shift-right testing into your development pipeline is crucial for delivering high-quality software. As test automation engineers, we play a critical role in ensuring software quality not only during development but also after deployment. By building robust monitoring systems, automating smoke tests, and providing real-time feedback, we help create resilient, reliable software that meets the demands of modern production environments. 

In todayʼs competitive landscape, companies that leverage both shift-left and shift-right testing will benefit from improved quality, greater stability, and a faster response to real-world issues.