What are the best practices for code reviews and peer feedback?

1 Define the goals and scope

Before you start reviewing or giving feedback on someone else's code, you should have a clear understanding of what you are trying to achieve and what are the boundaries of your review. For example, you should know the purpose, requirements, and expected outcomes of the code, as well as the standards, conventions, and guidelines that apply to it. You should also agree on the level of detail, the timeframe, and the tools that you will use for the review and feedback process. Having a clear and shared vision of the goals and scope will help you focus on the most relevant and important aspects of the code, and avoid unnecessary or irrelevant comments.

2 Use a checklist and a rubric

A checklist and a rubric are useful tools to guide your code review and peer feedback process. A checklist is a list of items or criteria that you should check or verify in the code, such as syntax, functionality, readability, documentation, testing, security, etc. A rubric is a set of standards or indicators that you should use to evaluate or rate the code, such as accuracy, efficiency, clarity, completeness, etc. Using a checklist and a rubric will help you ensure that you cover all the aspects of the code, and that you provide consistent and objective feedback.

3 Be respectful and constructive

Code reviews and peer feedback are not meant to be personal attacks or criticisms, but rather opportunities to learn from each other and improve your code. Therefore, you should be respectful and constructive when reviewing or giving feedback on someone else's code. You should avoid harsh, vague, or sarcastic comments, and instead use positive, specific, and actionable suggestions. You should also acknowledge the strengths and achievements of the code, and express appreciation and gratitude for the effort and contribution of the author. Being respectful and constructive will help you build trust and rapport with your peers, and foster a positive and collaborative culture.

4 Communicate effectively and efficiently

Communication is key for successful code reviews and peer feedback. You should communicate effectively and efficiently with your peers, using clear, concise, and polite language. You should also use the appropriate channels and formats for your communication, depending on the context and the purpose of your review and feedback. For example, you can use inline comments, pull requests, code annotations, or code snippets to provide specific and detailed feedback on the code. You can also use chat, email, phone, or video calls to discuss general or complex issues, clarify doubts, or resolve conflicts. Communicating effectively and efficiently will help you avoid misunderstandings, confusion, or delays in your review and feedback process.

5 Seek feedback and learn from it

Code reviews and peer feedback are not only for giving, but also for receiving feedback. You should seek feedback and learn from it, as it will help you improve your skills, knowledge, and performance as a software developer. You should be open-minded, humble, and curious when receiving feedback on your code, and avoid being defensive, arrogant, or dismissive. You should also ask questions, seek clarification, and request examples or resources to understand and apply the feedback. Seeking feedback and learning from it will help you grow as a professional and as a person.

6 Follow up and follow through

The last but not least best practice for code reviews and peer feedback is to follow up and follow through on the feedback that you give or receive. You should follow up with your peers to ensure that they have received, understood, and implemented your feedback, and to offer your support or assistance if needed. You should also follow through on the feedback that you receive, by making the necessary changes, improvements, or corrections to your code, and by documenting and testing them. Following up and follow through will help you ensure that your code reviews and peer feedback are effective and meaningful, and that you achieve the desired outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?