Financial institutions face a stark choice: adapt swiftly or risk falling behind. In an increasingly competitive market, digital transformation is no longer optional as financial institutions may need to make profound shifts in their approaches to enact change successfully.
One industry insider is keen to stress the benefits of applying shift-left testing to financial services digital advancements, software development, regulatory compliance and customer service.
“The financial services sector is rapidly evolving, driven by the need to adopt new technologies,” argues Daniel Dore, the chief executive officer and founder of UK-based Assured Thought, which was taken over by Spanish technology firm Izertis and specialises in quality engineering, quality control and software testing consulting services.
Dore said that “digital change is crucial, particularly to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of internal and external client services. This evolution requires changes to traditional practices, which, in turn, are opening doors to unprecedented opportunities.”
Firstly, there is the complexity of regulatory compliance. As technology evolves, so does the complexity of regulatory compliance. Financial institutions must navigate a labyrinth of regulations created to ensure data security and privacy.
“This makes cybersecurity a vital pillar of trust, essential for maintaining customer confidence and safeguarding assets,” Dore shared.
Moreover, banks face increasing customer expectations. They now demand seamless, efficient and fast systems for managing their investments.
“Meeting these expectations is no longer an added value but a fundamental requirement for customer retention and acquisition,” he noted.
“The shift-left approach is particularly vital in the financial services sector.”
– Daniel Dore
For these reasons, the shift-left approach in software development is crucial, Dore argued, adding banks should get a good understanding of what it means.
“The shift-left approach is a key strategy in modern software development, one particularly vital in the financial services sector,” he pointed out.
“It focuses on the early integration of quality assurance and testing into the software development lifecycle.”
Traditionally, testing was conducted after the completion of the development phase, which often led to defects being discovered late in the process, increasing the cost and complexity of fixes.
“With the shift-left approach, however, testing is conducted concurrently with or immediately after development, thereby ‘shifting’ these activities to the ‘left’ on the project timeline,” Dore explained.
Benefits
In the context of financial services, in which software reliability, security and compliance are paramount, the shift-left approach is particularly relevant, according to Dore.
“By integrating testing early in the SDLC, financial institutions can identify and address potential issues while they are less complex and less costly to resolve,” he elaborated.
“This early integration of testing aligns perfectly with the rapid and high-stakes environment of the financial services sector, wherein agile response to market changes and regulatory demands is crucial.”
Firstly, there is early defect detection: Identifying defects early in the development process significantly reduces the cost and time required for remediation.
Also, early testing ensures a higher quality of software by allowing immediate feedback and continuous improvement during development.
Then enhanced security: in financial applications, where security is a top priority, early testing helps to identify security vulnerabilities earlier, allowing for easier mitigation, Dore stressed.
He went on to focus on regulatory compliance. “Early testing ensures compliance with stringent financial regulations from day one, avoiding costly compliance failures,” he said.
Finally, Dore highlighted the decreased time-to-market. “By reducing the time spent on fixing late-stage defects, the shift-left approach accelerates the overall development process, enabling faster deployment of new features and products,” he said.
“This early integration of testing aligns perfectly with the rapid and high-stakes environment of the financial services sector.”
– Daniel Dore
Banks and financial organisations wishing to implement the shift-left approach will often require an internal culture change, Dore said.
“Development teams must be trained to incorporate testing into their workflow, and collaboration between developers and testers must be encouraged from the outset,” he noted.
Dore believes automation plays a crucial role in the shift-left approach, with the use of continuous integration and continuous testing tools enabling real-time feedback and prompt defect resolution.
The shift-left approach is a foundational principle of quality engineering, the industry insider continued.
“Quality engineering goes beyond traditional testing, encompassing a holistic view of quality throughout the SDLC,” he said.
“By incorporating shift-left principles, quality engineering focuses on preventing defects rather than merely detecting them,” Dore continued.
“This proactive stance aligns with the dynamic nature of financial services, in which rapid change and high stakes are the norms,” he added.
For financial services firms, digital transformation is complex yet essential, Dore said in conclusion.
“The shift-left approach and quality engineering are not just technical endeavours but strategic imperatives.
These practices offer a path to not only meet but exceed the evolving demands of the industry, ensuring institutions remain competitive, agile and customer-centric,” he summarised.
“By embracing these methodologies, financial services firms can more easily, confidently and successfully navigate the challenges of the digital era,” Dore concluded.
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Looking for more news on regulations and compliance requirements driving developments in software quality engineering at financial firms? Visit our dedicated Regulation & Compliance page here.
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