Review turnaround time

Definition

Review turnaround time refers to the duration it takes for a code review process to be completed, starting from when a piece of code is submitted for review to when it receives feedback or approval. This metric is crucial as it impacts team productivity, project timelines, and overall code quality, helping to ensure that code changes are integrated smoothly and efficiently.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reducing review turnaround time can significantly enhance team collaboration and morale by allowing developers to receive timely feedback.
2. An optimal review turnaround time is often considered to be within 24 to 48 hours for effective code reviews.
3. Long review turnaround times can lead to bottlenecks in the development process, causing delays in deployment and integration.
4. Measuring review turnaround time helps teams identify trends and areas for improvement in their code review processes.
5. Encouraging a culture of prompt reviews can foster accountability among team members and improve the overall quality of the codebase.

Review Questions

• How does review turnaround time impact team productivity during the software development process?
  • Review turnaround time significantly affects team productivity by influencing how quickly developers can proceed with their work. When feedback on code submissions is delayed, it can lead to developers waiting idly instead of moving forward with new tasks. This waiting period can create a backlog in the development pipeline and reduce overall project momentum, making timely reviews essential for maintaining an efficient workflow.
• What strategies can teams implement to reduce review turnaround time while maintaining quality in the code review process?
  • To reduce review turnaround time without compromising quality, teams can adopt strategies such as setting clear deadlines for reviews, prioritizing critical changes, and creating standardized checklists for reviewers. Additionally, fostering a culture where feedback is encouraged and appreciated can motivate team members to conduct reviews promptly. Utilizing tools that automate parts of the review process or integrating continuous integration practices can also help streamline feedback loops.
• Evaluate the implications of consistently long review turnaround times on the software development lifecycle and team dynamics.
  • Consistently long review turnaround times can have negative implications on both the software development lifecycle and team dynamics. Prolonged reviews can cause delays in project timelines, resulting in missed deadlines and an inability to respond rapidly to changes or bugs. From a team perspective, such delays may foster frustration among developers, potentially lowering morale and leading to disengagement. Additionally, if developers feel unsupported due to slow feedback, it may hinder collaboration and trust within the team, ultimately affecting the quality of the final product.

Related terms

Code Review: A systematic examination of computer source code intended to identify bugs, improve quality, and ensure compliance with coding standards.

Continuous Integration:

A software development practice where developers frequently integrate their code changes into a shared repository, allowing for automated testing and faster feedback.

Pull Request:

A request made by a developer to merge code changes from one branch to another in version control systems, typically accompanied by a code review process.