Mario Callela
Building Better Software Together
What is a Code Review?
Think of a code review as a second set of eyes on your work. Before any code gets merged into the main branch or released, another developer takes a look to catch bugs, spot logic errors, and ensure the code is clean, readable, and follows best practices. It’s a key step in the development process that helps teams write better, more reliable software—together.
Why are they important?
Code reviews are more than just a quality gate, they’re a cornerstone of collaborative software development. When done right, they improve code quality, foster team learning, and accelerate delivery. But what does “right” look like? Here are some of the best practices that industry leaders are using to elevate your code review process.
1. Use a Structured Checklist
A code review checklist ensures consistency and thoroughness. It should cover key areas such as:
- Readability: Is the code easy to understand?
- Security: Are there any vulnerabilities?
- Test Coverage: Are edge cases and failure scenarios tested?
- Architecture: Is the code modular and maintainable?
- Reusability: Are components designed for reuse?
This structure helps reviewers focus on what matters and reduces the chances of missing critical issues.
2. Measure What Matters
Introducing metrics into your code review process can help track effectiveness and identify bottlenecks. Below are some metrics you should consider:
- Inspection Rate: Lines of code reviewed.
- Defect Rate: Number of defects found.
- Defect Density: Defects per thousand lines of code
These metrics provide visibility into review quality and help teams continuously improve.
3. Keep Reviews Focused and Manageable
Studies show that reviewing more than 200–400 lines of code at once reduces effectiveness. Smaller, focused reviews lead to better outcomes and faster feedback loops.
4. Communicate with Clarity and Respect
Good code reviews are conversations, not critiques. Reviewers should:
- Explain why a change is needed, not just what to change.
- Distinguish between personal preferences and required changes.
- Offer examples and alternatives when suggesting improvements.
This approach fosters mutual respect and helps developers grow.
5. Automate Where Possible
Automation can streamline the review process:
- Use tools like Azure DevOps to manage your code review process.
- Integrate CI/CD pipelines to catch issues early.
- Employ notifications to keep team up to date on the process.
Automation reduces manual overhead and ensures consistency.
6. Build a Positive Review Culture
Code reviews should be empowering, not intimidating. Avoid using them as performance evaluations. Instead, treat them as opportunities for mentorship and learning. Encourage junior developers to participate and recognize good practices as much as you flag issues.
7. Prioritize Timely Feedback
According to GitHub engineers should prioritize reviewing others’ code over their own tasks. Timely reviews help ship features faster and reduce context-switching. Make code review a priority of your development workflow and assign deadlines to ensure timely delivery.
In Conclusion:
Code reviews are a powerful tool for improving software quality and team collaboration. By adopting structured practices, measuring impact, and fostering a respectful culture, teams can turn reviews into a strategic advantage. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just starting out, embracing these best practices will help you write better code and build better teams.
Need help implementing these practices? Contact Asinpa and can give you some guidance on how to improve or implement code reviews in your organization. Call or visit www.asinpa.com today for more information.
References & Further Reading
1. How to review code effectively: A GitHub staff engineer’s philosophy – The GitHub Blog
2. Why code reviews matter (and actually save time!) Article | Agile
