Review, Inspection, Walkthrough | IT Passport Exam Prep

What is a Review?

A review is an activity where others check deliverables such as design documents or code to detect defects early. Since defects can be found earlier than testing, it offers significant cost reduction benefits. Multiple methods exist depending on the level of formality.

Representative Review Methods

Inspection (Most Formal)

Inspection is a strict review method that uses a moderator (facilitator). Deliverables are distributed in advance, participants check them individually, and then defects are systematically recorded and metrics are collected during the review meeting. It is highly effective but also labor-intensive—keep this in mind.

Walkthrough

A walkthrough is a review where the creator of the deliverable explains it as they go. The formality level is moderate, and the goal is to share ideas and uncover issues. It is relatively lightweight and easy to conduct.

Peer Review

Peer review is a method where colleagues (peers) check each other's work. The formality is loose and it is done on a daily basis.

Pair Programming

Pair programming is an agile (especially XP) technique, explained in detail in Agile Development and Scrum. Two people use one PC to perform real-time code review. The "driver" writes the code, while the "navigator" reviews it.

Round Robin

Round robin is a review method where participants raise issues in turn. No specific facilitator is needed, and everyone has an equal opportunity to speak.

Purpose of Reviews

The purposes of reviews include early detection and correction of defects, sharing knowledge and know-how, and educating developers (especially newcomers). They also contribute to standardizing design quality.

Key Points for the IT Passport Exam

The IT Passport exam tests your understanding of each method's formality level and characteristics. Remember that inspection is the most formal and effective, and that pair programming is an XP practice.

Typical Past Exam Question Patterns

• "Which is the formal review method facilitated by a moderator?" → Inspection
• "Which method uses one PC for two people?" → Pair Programming

Related Terms

• Agile / XP (Agile Development and Scrum)
• Testing Techniques (Testing Techniques)
• Seven Quality Control Tools (Seven Quality Control Tools)

Study Tips

When ordering by formality level, it goes: Inspection, Walkthrough, Peer Review, Pair Programming. It's effective to memorize the "facilitator," "number of participants," and "purpose" for each method. Don't forget that pair programming is an XP practice.

Summary

If you grasp the characteristics of each review method, you can reliably score points on related questions. For comprehensive practice on the Management domain, use the Management Summary; to try a full-length simulation, use the Practice Exam.