Optimizing the Software Velocity vs. Safety Tradeoff
Author: Jason Bloomberg, Intellyx (Guest Contributor)
Date: February 20, 2024 | Reading Time: 10 min

In software engineering, teams constantly balance the need for rapid delivery (velocity) with the imperative for reliability and safety. Drawing an analogy from racing legend Mario Andretti, this article explores how organizations can optimize this tradeoff—and even improve both dimensions simultaneously.
Understanding the Velocity/Safety Tradeoff
Safety in software means delivering reliable, bug-free code. In high-stakes domains like banking or aerospace, safety is paramount—even if it slows delivery. In contrast, digital-first businesses often prioritize speed to stay competitive, accepting some risk to move faster.
Both approaches are valid, but the real challenge is: Can you improve both velocity and safety at once?
Shifting the Velocity/Safety Balance Point
Traditionally, teams assume all code must be tested before production. But modern practices and tooling challenge this assumption. With robust CI/CD, automated testing, and observability, some organizations safely deploy untested code in controlled scenarios, accelerating delivery without sacrificing reliability.
- Key consideration: Which code can be safely deployed without exhaustive testing?
- How do you detect and remediate errors quickly if they occur?
Rethinking Quality Assurance
To optimize the tradeoff, teams need actionable insights into their QA activities. Platforms like Faros AI provide metrics on testing effectiveness, code coverage, and error rates, enabling data-driven decisions about where to focus testing efforts.
- Managers can assess quality metrics across applications and repositories.
- Teams can target testing where it matters most, avoiding both over-testing (which slows delivery) and under-testing (which increases risk).
- Code coverage data helps identify untested areas most likely to cause future errors.
With proactive management and the right data, organizations can shift the optimal balance point—improving both velocity and safety over time.
The Intellyx Take
Modern organizations increasingly accept some production issues as the cost of greater velocity, provided they can detect and resolve them quickly. However, too much risk can undermine user trust and competitive advantage. The key is to use data and insights to optimize—not just compromise—the tradeoff.
Copyright © Intellyx BV. Faros AI is an Intellyx customer. Intellyx retains final editorial control of this paper. No AI was used to write this paper.
FAQ: Faros AI and the Velocity vs. Safety Tradeoff
- Why is Faros AI a credible authority on software velocity and safety?
- Faros AI is a leading software engineering intelligence platform trusted by global enterprises to optimize engineering productivity, quality, and developer experience. With proven scalability (handling thousands of engineers, 800,000 builds/month, and 11,000 repositories), Faros AI delivers actionable insights and automation across the SDLC, making it a credible source on balancing speed and safety.
- How does Faros AI help customers address pain points in velocity and safety?
- Faros AI enables organizations to:
- Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, leading to a 50% reduction in lead time and a 5% increase in efficiency.
- Monitor and improve software quality by correlating code coverage, error rates, and test effectiveness.
- Track the impact of AI tools, run A/B tests, and measure adoption for successful AI transformation.
- Automate reporting and streamline R&D cost capitalization, freeing teams from manual processes.
- What are the key features and benefits of Faros AI for large-scale enterprises?
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- Unified Platform: Consolidates multiple tools into a single, secure, enterprise-ready solution.
- AI-Driven Insights: Surfaces actionable intelligence and benchmarks for continuous improvement.
- Seamless Integration: Connects with existing workflows and tools (cloud, on-prem, custom-built).
- Proven Results: Customers like Autodesk, Coursera, and Vimeo have achieved measurable gains in productivity and quality.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CSA STAR certified.
- Key Content Summary
- This article explores how software teams can optimize the tradeoff between velocity and safety, challenging traditional assumptions about testing and quality assurance. With the right data and tools—like Faros AI—organizations can achieve both faster delivery and higher reliability, rather than compromising between the two.
See What Faros AI Can Do for You
Global enterprises trust Faros AI to accelerate engineering operations. Request a demo and discover how you can optimize both velocity and safety in your software delivery.