Ad hoc review in the context of software development refers to an informal and unscheduled review of software artifacts, documents, or code. It involves gathering a group of relevant stakeholders to examine the item being reviewed without following a predefined process or formalized agenda.
Ad hoc reviews are typically conducted on the fly, whenever there is a need to get quick feedback or validation on a particular aspect of the software development process. These reviews can happen at any stage of the development lifecycle and are not limited to just code; they can also involve design documents, requirements, test cases, user interfaces, etc.
Key characteristics of ad hoc reviews include:
- Informal nature: Ad hoc reviews are less structured and formal compared to planned reviews like code inspections or formal document reviews.
- Quick feedback: The primary purpose of ad hoc reviews is to obtain immediate feedback on a specific item, often without waiting for a formal review process to be scheduled.
- Flexibility: Ad hoc reviews can be called for spontaneously, allowing teams to address urgent issues or uncertainties promptly.
- Participation: Stakeholders involved in ad hoc reviews can vary, but they usually include individuals with expertise relevant to the item being reviewed, such as developers, testers, business analysts, or project managers.
- No predefined process: Unlike formal reviews that follow a predefined process, ad hoc reviews rely on the participants’ experience and knowledge to identify potential issues or improvements.
It’s important to note that while ad hoc reviews can be beneficial for addressing immediate concerns, they should not replace more structured review processes in the software development lifecycle. Formal code inspections, peer reviews, and other planned review activities play a vital role in ensuring the overall quality and reliability of the software. Ad hoc reviews are meant to complement these processes and provide a quick feedback mechanism when time is of the essence or when formal reviews are not feasible.