Shift-Left Testing
Move testing activities earlier in the development lifecycle - catching defects when they are cheapest to fix.
BesTest makes shift-left practical: create requirements and test cases before development starts, submit them for review during sprint planning, and use the coverage dashboard to track gaps while the story is still being built - not after.
Implement Shift-Left Testing with BesTest
Create requirements before development starts
During backlog refinement, create requirements in BesTest and link them to the Jira story. Set dev complexity and business impact so the significance score is established early. This forces the team to think about what "done" looks like before writing a line of code.
Write test cases during sprint planning
While the story is being estimated, write test cases with preconditions, numbered steps, and expected results. Use the Links tab to connect each test case to the requirement it validates. Writing tests now - before implementation - surfaces ambiguities in the acceptance criteria that would otherwise become mid-sprint surprises.
Submit test cases for review before execution
Use BesTest's review workflow: submit the test case, then have a developer or PO review it. They can request changes (with comments) or approve. Each action is timestamped. This catches coverage gaps and misunderstandings while the story is still in development - not during UAT.
Link test cases to stories early
Use the Links tab on the Jira issue to connect test cases before the sprint starts. The Coverage section on the requirement updates in real time, showing whether the requirement has sufficient coverage relative to its significance. Developers can see the test plan while they code.
Track coverage gaps during development
Check the coverage dashboard during the sprint. Requirements with high significance and low coverage are visible at a glance. Address gaps while the developer still has context on the story - not two sprints later when everyone has forgotten the implementation details.
Built for Shift-Left Testing
The review workflow (submit, request changes, approve) catches test case quality issues before execution. Developers verify alignment with implementation; POs confirm acceptance criteria are covered.
Test cases link directly to requirements, so teams can start building coverage as soon as requirements are defined - the Coverage section shows status in real time.
The significance-based coverage model highlights under-covered requirements before any tests are executed, making gaps visible during sprint planning instead of mid-sprint.
Structured test cases with preconditions, numbered steps, and expected results encourage thorough scenario design early, turning test cases into living specifications.
Free for up to 10 users with one-click enablement - no procurement delay, so teams can start designing tests early without waiting for budget approval.
Related Resources
Test Case Review: Best Practices for Quality Assurance
Learn why test case review is essential for quality assurance and how to implement an effective review workflow. Includes checklists, templates, and tool recommendations.
How to Write Test Cases: The Complete 2026 Guide
Learn the art and science of writing test cases that catch bugs, are easy to maintain, and provide clear documentation. This guide covers everything from basic structure to advanced techniques used by professional QA teams.
Test Case Review Workflow
Implement quality gates for test cases with built-in review and approval
Sprint Testing in Jira
Integrate testing into your agile sprints with test cycles tied to sprint stories
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in Jira
Validate that the software meets business requirements with stakeholder-driven testing
Test Case
A documented set of conditions and steps used to verify that a software feature works as expected.
Precondition
The required state or setup that must exist before a test case can be executed.
Expected Result
The anticipated outcome of a test case step or the test case as a whole.
Requirements Traceability
The ability to link and track requirements through design, development, and testing.
Test Coverage
A measure of how much of the software or requirements are tested by test cases.
Acceptance Criteria
The specific conditions a feature or user story must meet to be accepted by stakeholders.
Test Plan
A document outlining the testing approach, scope, resources, and schedule for a project or release.
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