🚀 Testing in Production: Embracing the Ultimate Testing Ground for Software Validation

[MrHinsh]

Here’s a bold truth: There’s no place like production.
In today’s world of complex, interconnected systems, traditional testing environments can’t fully simulate the realities of production. This is why I advocate for embracing testing in production—not recklessly, but strategically.
Imagine rolling out a small change to a select audience in production. You monitor real-world performance, gather telemetry, and learn what works (and what doesn’t) in the environments your users actually live in. This isn’t about accepting failure; it’s about designing systems that anticipate it.
Take Microsoft Teams, for example. Features are enabled selectively for users, allowing the engineering team to validate functionality incrementally. If something goes wrong, telemetry provides the insights needed to act fast—fix it, learn from it, and improve processes to catch similar issues earlier.
But here’s the kicker: Testing in production is only as strong as the resilience you build into your systems. Practices like the circuit breaker pattern ensure that one failure doesn’t cascade into total system downtime. It’s not about avoiding every mistake—it’s about making sure your product survives and thrives despite them.
Are you still waiting for perfection in a staging environment? Maybe it’s time to shift left, move faster, and turn production into your strongest ally.
Let’s explore how testing in production can elevate your DevOps game. Share your thoughts below! 👇
#DevOps #TestingInProduction #Agile #EngineeringExcellence #TechnicalLeadership #ContinuousDelivery #AgileLeadership #MartinHinshelwood #NKDAgility