Test Automation in Production: Why, When, and How?
The shift-right approach to software testing mandates that tests are run as close to the production environment as possible.
The main aim of shift-right testing is to catch defects and problems that can only be catch at that time and context in the software development cycle.
A growing number of organizations are using test automation frameworks to achieve this goal.
In this blog post, we will explore when and why you should shift-right tests in production and how you can go about doing it safely and effectively.
Follow Cerberus Testing for more open-source test automation.
Why testing in production
There are several reasons why shift-right testing in production is gaining popularity.
First and foremost, it allows you to catch bugs and issues that may not be apparent in lower environments such as development or staging.
This is because the production environment is typically much closer to the real-world conditions under which your software will be used.
As such, it is more likely to uncover defects that only occur under certain conditions or with certain data sets.
In addition, shift-right testing allows you to verify the stability of your user experience in production.
This is important because even if your software is technically sound, poor performance or usability issues can still lead to customer dissatisfaction.
Finally, shift-right testing gives you the ability to monitor customer journeys and track how they use your software in the wild.
This information can be used to improve the design of your software or to make changes that will improve the user experience.
When to test in production
Shift-right testing in production is not something that should be done indiscriminately.
There are certain circumstances under which it is more appropriate than others.
In general, you should consider shift-right testing in production if you need to verify any of the following:
– The correct functioning of key customer journeys
– The stability of the user experience
– The performance of your software under load
– The ability of your software to handle unexpected data or inputs
How to test in production safely and effectively
If you have decided that shift-right testing in production is the right approach for your organization, there are a few things you need to do to ensure that it is done safely and effectively.
First, you need to have a plan.
Shift-right testing in production should not be done haphazardly but should be part of a well-thought-out strategy.
This strategy should take into account the risks involved and how to mitigate them.
Second, you need to have the right tools in place.
Shift-right testing in production requires the use of specialized tools that are designed for this purpose.
These tools allow you to monitor your software in production and identify potential issues quickly and efficiently.
Third, you need to have a good understanding of your software architecture.
Shift-right testing in production can be a complex undertaking, and it is important that you have a good understanding of how your software is put together before you begin.
This will allow you to identify potential risks and plan for them accordingly.
Shift-right testing in production can be an effective way to catch defects and improve the stability of your user experience.
How to test in production safely
Shift-right testing comes with its own set of risks and challenges, but these can be mitigated with the right approach.
Shift-right testing in production should only be done as part of a well-thought-out strategy that takes into account the risks involved.
Testing in production can be achieved in the following ways:
- Reuse automated tests for customer journey monitorings
- Deploy regular tests for measuring response time of pages
- Implement continuous health checks on critical services
- Perform non-functional tests such as security and reliability
- Configure tests validating 3rd-party integrations.
Shift-right testing can be an effective way to catch defects and improve the stability of your user experience.
When done correctly, shift-right testing is a valuable addition to your software development process.
Shift-right to accelerate with test automation
Shift-right test automation can help you improve the quality of your software by catching defects that would otherwise go undetected.
Shift-right test automation is a valuable addition to your software development process.
When done correctly, it can help you speed up your development cycle and improve the quality of your software.
Discover Cerberus Testing, supporting an entire set of shift-right test automation features to accelerate your journey.