Shift Left – Why does It Matter to SRE?
Shift left is a valuable practice for both developers and SRE engineers. Developers use it to streamline individual aspects. SREs are responsible for ensuring the reliability of the software. The method of sifting left helps them to optimize reliability. Here is an overview of why sift left matters to SREs.
Shift Left- What does It Mean?
Shift left is the practice of identifying issues in application in the early stages of software development. In this process, SREs do not wait for the deployment to test software and find issues like bugs, security, etc. Instead, they start the testing process at an early stage. More specifically, instead of testing in the middle, they shift some tests to the left. That is why it is called ‘shift left.’
Why Shift Left matters to SRE
SREs’ core job is to ensure reliability, help software engineers in coding strategies, and manage post-deployment issues. It may seem like SREs have no connection with shift left. In reality, a change left is needed to perform better and enhance reliability.
·Fewer issues in Production: Shift left means catching bugs and security issues at an early age. It reduces the reliability issues before the application reaches the production-like environment. Thus SREs need to work with fewer issues.
·Optimize Deployment: Early detection results in early fixing and feedback. SREs get an opportunity to collaborate with developers, operators, and software engineers. It increases the reliability of the software.
·Granular Visibility: Shift left provides granular visibility into the reliability of the software by finding the core issues. Thus SREs can find the weakest link and strengthen them.
SREs have to collaborate with developers to be a part of the left shift process. SREs, identify the streamline to reduce the complexity of fixing bugs. Defining best approaches and practices is also a part of the shift left. Reliability engineers need to focus on where reliability problems arise and how to shift left helps to improve. Most often, the issues rely upon environment configuration. SREs also need to work with developers in incident response. SREs can understand the post-deployment problem that may occur. Thus they help developers to fix bugs as per the requirement of the production-like environment.
Shift left is a significant tool of SREs toolbox. Finding and fixing bugs and reliability at an early stage enhance the reliability of the software. Businesses need to collaborate with developers and reliability engineers to make SREs a part of the shift left process.
