How can you keep your code reviews objective and constructive?

2 Be respectful and empathetic

Code reviews are not a competition or a personal attack. They are a collaborative process that aims to help each other learn and grow as web developers. Therefore, you should always be respectful and empathetic towards your peers, and avoid harsh, rude, or sarcastic language. Instead of criticizing or blaming, use positive and constructive feedback that explains the problem, suggests a solution, and provides a rationale. Recognize the efforts and achievements of your colleagues, and thank them for their contributions. Remember that everyone has different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives, and try to understand where they are coming from.

3 Communicate effectively and efficiently

Code reviews can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you have to deal with large or complex code changes. To make the process more effective and efficient, you should communicate clearly and concisely with your team. Use descriptive and consistent commit messages, pull requests, and comments that summarize the purpose, scope, and impact of your code changes. Use code annotations, screenshots, or videos to illustrate your points or demonstrate your results. Use tools and platforms that facilitate code review workflows, such as GitHub, GitLab, or CodePen. Avoid long or ambiguous discussions that can delay or derail the code review process, and prefer direct or synchronous communication when possible.

4 Seek feedback and learn from others

Code reviews are not only a way to improve your code, but also a way to improve your skills and knowledge as a web developer. Therefore, you should seek feedback and learn from others, instead of being defensive or resistant to change. Be open-minded and curious about different approaches, techniques, or tools that your peers may suggest or use. Ask questions and seek clarification if you are unsure or confused about something. Admit your mistakes and acknowledge your limitations. Use the feedback as an opportunity to learn something new or refine your existing skills.

5 Review your own code first

One of the best ways to keep your code reviews objective and constructive is to review your own code first, before submitting it for peer review. This will help you catch and fix any errors, bugs, or inconsistencies that you may have overlooked or missed while coding. It will also help you polish and improve your code quality, readability, and style, and make it easier for others to understand and review. You can use tools and techniques such as linting, testing, debugging, or refactoring to review your own code, and follow the same standards and checklist that you use for peer reviews.

6 Balance speed and quality

Code reviews are important, but they are not the only thing that matters in web development. You also have to consider the speed and agility of your development process, and the delivery and satisfaction of your clients and users. Therefore, you should balance the speed and quality of your code reviews, and avoid being too strict or too lenient. You should prioritize the most critical and impactful issues, and address them as soon as possible. You should also be flexible and pragmatic, and adapt to the changing requirements and constraints of your project. You should not sacrifice quality for speed, but you should not delay or block progress for perfection either.

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?