Can we stop the nonsense of Shift Left?

Back in 2001, Larry Smith introduced the term “Shift Left,” urging test teams to get involved earlier in the Software Delivery Life Cycle (SDLC). The logic was simple: catch errors sooner, fix them for less, and deliver smoother releases.

There’s no shortage of articles and books explaining how expensive it gets to fix issues as they move closer to production. Once a bug hits production, costs skyrocket—more people get involved, and sometimes even senior management is called in if clients are impacted.

So, the earlier you find a problem, the cheaper it is to fix. Seems obvious, right?

Here’s something to consider: most team members are salaried, and the company is paying for their time regardless. Yes, production issues are disruptive and may cause delays, but no extra staff are typically brought in to resolve them. Meetings can be shuffled, and updates sent out, but ultimately, the same people are involved. As Capers Jones documented, those end-of-line costs are inevitable—so maybe we need a different approach.

This is crucial: quality is not the sole responsibility of the Test team. Why should one group carry the weight? Imagine winning the Stanley Cup with only the goalie on the ice. Sounds ridiculous, right? Expecting a single team to guarantee quality is just as unrealistic.

The “Shift Left” mindset predates 2001, but the term put the spotlight on getting Test teams involved earlier. The problem? It still singles them out. Real quality comes when everyone—developers, business analysts, product owners, and yes, testers—gets involved early and often. This aligns perfectly with the Agile Manifesto’s focus on communication and teamwork.

When organizations prioritize knowledge sharing, productivity and innovation soar. The bonus? Happier, more engaged employees.

A robust RCA process digs into where things went wrong and helps decide if a fix is needed. Cost alone doesn’t tell the whole story—combine it with other metrics, and you get real insight for continuous improvement.

Let’s move beyond “Shift Left” as just a testing initiative. True quality happens when everyone is involved from the start, sharing knowledge and learning from every mistake.

Stop putting all the pressure on your Test team. Let’s create an environment where quality is everyone’s job—and your whole team thrives.
Book a call with Berriault & Associates today to start building a collaborative, high-performing team.