What does the concept of "Shift Left" in software testing imply?

The concept of "Shift Left" in software testing emphasizes integrating testing activities earlier in the software development lifecycle, rather than postponing them until the later stages. By shifting testing left, teams can identify and address defects more promptly, which enhances the overall quality of the software and reduces the costs associated with fixing issues at later development stages. This proactive approach promotes collaboration among team members, including developers and testers, fostering continuous feedback and improvement throughout the project.

In contrast to this, conducting testing only after project completion would lead to a situation where many problems are discovered late in the process, making them more expensive and time-consuming to resolve. Eliminating testing altogether to speed up delivery undermines quality assurances and can lead to significant risks for the software product. Running tests only at the end of each sprint does not fully implement the "Shift Left" philosophy, as it still does not promote early and continuous testing throughout the development phases.