Quality Beyond Testing: Jenkins to GitHub Actions Migration for Optimized Processes and Quality Assurance

DevOps integrates and automates the work of software development (Dev) with IT operations (Ops). It complements Agile SDLC by leveraging automation tools and practices to speed up production software delivery. In DevOps, the choice of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools play a pivotal role in streamlining software development processes. This paper presents a case study of our organization's migration from Jenkins to GitHub Actions, driven by the need for enhanced scalability, security, and seamless integrations. Formerly reliant on Jenkins, our organization encountered challenges in managing its growing testing and CI/CD demands. Issues surrounding scalability, security vulnerabilities, and the complexity of third-party integrations prompted us to explore alternative solutions. The migration to GitHub Actions emerged as a viable solution, offering a comprehensive platform for automating various tasks directly within GitHub repositories. Through GitHub Actions, our DevOps team successfully automated critical processes such as Pull Requests, sanity checks, client nightly builds, code coverage scans, and test executions. The platform's seamless integration with external tools including JFrog Artifactory, Slack, Red Hat Ansible, and Atlassian (Jira) facilitated a smooth transition, bolstering our workflow efficiency. This transition resulted in a remarkable 35% increase in developer efficiency.

1) Understand the integration and automation of Dev and Ops in DevOps.
2) Learn from our organization's challenges with Jenkins and how GitHub Actions provided a robust solution.
3) Discover how GitHub Actions can automate critical DevOps tasks within your GitHub repositories, enhancing developer efficiency by 35%.
4) Explore the benefits of seamless integration with tools like JFrog Artifactory, Slack, and more.
5) Gain insights on the improved security features with GitHub Actions, eliminating the need for additional password management tools.
6) This presentation will cover the technical and strategic aspects of our migration, the challenges we faced, the solutions we implemented, and the significant benefits we've realized. Whether you're considering a similar migration or just looking to improve your DevOps practices, this talk will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways.

Paper | Presentation | Video Intro

Sagar AgheraSagar Aghera

Sagar Aghera is a seasoned software engineer with over 12+ years of experience in designing and developing cutting-edge software. Armed with a Master's in Computer Science and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University, he has built a strong foundation in test automation & CI/CD development across various platforms, working with companies like VMware, Qualcomm, Gracenote, and Motorola. Currently, as a Sr Staff Software Engineer in Test at Netskope, Sagar excels in designing frameworks to test Netskope Endpoint Security products and backend services, managing cloud infrastructure deployment, and mentoring junior team members.


Author profile pictureAmit Bhanushali

Amit Bhanushali is a highly accomplished software quality assurance professional with over 22 years of experience in the IT industry. He earned his Master's in Business Data Analytics from West Virginia University in 2017. Based in West Virginia, USA, Mr. Bhanushali is a Senior IEEE Member and has significantly contributed to software testing research and practice. His expertise spans automation testing, performance testing, DevOps, and CI/CD implementation. He has also led testing efforts in complex cloud environments. In addition to testing, Mr. Bhanushali has authored several articles exploring cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence and machine learning. His published research demonstrates his thought leadership and impact on software quality engineering. Mr. Bhanushali's accomplishments have been recognized through prestigious appointments. He serves as a reviewer for the Elsevier journal and has been a hackathon judge. His contributions were further honored in 2023 when he received the International Achievers' Award. With his sustained record of excellence across software development, testing, and research, Mr. Bhanushali continues to be an influential leader in his field.


Author profile pictureNikhil Yogesh Joshi

Nikhil Yogesh Joshi is a seasoned senior manager in software engineering with over 18 years of experience leading high-performing teams to deliver complex projects under tight deadlines. Based in Cumming, Georgia, Nikhil has worked across various industries, including banking, finance, healthcare, and consumer goods. He holds a B.E. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore, and began his career at Mphasis-EDS, working on the US government’s Medicare program. His journey includes roles such as a Consultant at Tonic Media, Project Lead at Capgemini overseeing quality engineering for Coca-Cola North America, and Senior Member of Technical Staff at VMware, where he enhanced the efficiency and reliability of AirWatch software products. Since 2021, Nikhil has been a Senior Manager at Fiserv, focusing on automation and cloud migration, and achieving significant improvements in deployment efficiency. His technical expertise includes Python, Ruby, Java, C#, CI/CD pipelines, and database management systems. Known for his problem-solving skills and dedication to continuous learning, Nikhil excels in fast-paced environments that prioritize innovation. His career highlights his exceptional abilities in software engineering, project management, and team leadership, making him a valuable asset to any organization.