Software Testing - Technical Review
A software is considered ready for the customer once it has gone through multiple stages of testing, and reviews. A software technical review is analyzed by a group of experienced engineers who are concerned with the quality, and suitability of the software.
What is Software Technical Review?
The software technical review is a critical assessment of every detail in the software. It helps to detect defects from the initial phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC). It is a formal process where the various software documents such as requirements, specifications, design documents, source code, test plans, test strategy, test cases etc are evaluated by peers to identify faults, and areas of improvements. The ultimate objective of the technical review is to check if the software is built as per its requirements, and to ensure that it does not contain issues which may impact the later phases of the software development process.
Objectives of Software Technical Review
The objectives of the software technical review are listed below −
- The software technical review finds defects from the early stages of the SDLC.
- The technical review ensures that the software is built as per compliances, standards, and requirements.
- The software technical review suggests areas of improvements in the documentation, design, architecture, and code.
- The software technical review encourages exchange of knowledge among all the team members.
- The technical review ensures that the software adheres to compliances, and regulations.
Types of Software Technical Review
The different types of the software technical review are listed below −
1. Peer Review
They are informal, and unstructured reviews done by the team members, peers, or colleagues to provide fast feedback so that the quality of delivered software is enhanced, and quick corrective measures are taken. It proceeds with the help of collaborative discussions. It occurs without prior planning may be at the time of knowledge sharing or pair programming. For example, a developer requests his team mate to review his code.
2. Walkthroughs
They are semi-formal reviews where the author of the document or code describes it to a group of reviewers. The objective is mainly to share the understanding of his work among the team members rather than finding errors. The reviewers ask questions and pass the required suggestions. There is no formal defect logging in the process. It is generally a knowledge sharing platform. For example, the project manager walks through the project roadmap to the entire team.
3. Inspections
They are formal, methodical, and structured reviews done to detect errors, and to suggest areas of correction. It is used to identify defects from the early stages of the SDLC, and to improve the software quality. It involves proper planning, composition, meeting, rework, and follow up. It comprises the moderator, author, scribe, reviewers etc. For example, a development team organizes an inspection meeting on the code developed for the last release of the software.
4. Audits
These types of reviews are done to ensure that the software is built as per the given requirements, regulations, standards, legal and contractual agreements. They are conducted by external or internal teams. The audits are on the basis of some predefined criterias, the discrepancies and non-compliances are documented, and reported. For example, a group of auditors reviews if the software development processes followed are as per the ISO standards.
Differences between Formal and Informal Reviews
The differences between the formal and informal reviews are listed below −
| Sr.No. | Formal Reviews | Informal Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | They help to identify bugs, and to ensure that the software is built as per the compliances, and specifications. | They give fast feedback, and find obvious defects in the software usually during the knowledge sharing process. |
| 2 | They are formal, methodical, and structured reviews which involve proper planning, composition, meeting, rework, and follow up. | They are informal, and unstructured reviews and conducted on an ad hoc basis. |
| 3 | They involve exhaustive documentations involving the defects, details of meetings, and corrective actions suggested. | They involve minimal documentations, and depend on verbal communications, and notes. |
| 4 | They consist of the moderator, author, scribe, reviewers etc who have been formally invited. | They consist of the project stakeholders who have been informally invited. |
Importances of Software Technical Review
The importances of the software technical review are listed below −
- The software technical review boosts the confidence, and morale of the team members for being able to show cause their works to external members.
- The technical review improves the developers overall understanding of the working of software, and which in turn helps them to maintain the code in an efficient manner.
- The software technical aids in tracking the project with respect to the customers, and project management.
- The technique helps to gather feedback, and suggestions on the software, and its development process.
Different Software Technical Review
The different technical review methodologies are listed below −
Conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Technical Review. Weve started with describing what is software technical review, what are the objectives of the software technical review, what are the different types of the software technical review, what are the differences between the formal and informal reviews, what are the importances of the software technical review, and what are the different software technical review methodologies. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of the Software Technical Review. It is wise to keep practicing what youve learned and exploring others relevant to Software Testing to deepen your understanding and expand your horizons.