Effective Code Review: A Productivity Multiplier

Code review can be either a massive bottleneck or a significant productivity multiplier. The difference lies in how you approach it. Done well, reviews catch bugs early, spread knowledge, and improve code quality. Done poorly, they create frustration and delays.

Right-Sizing Pull Requests

Large PRs are where reviews go to die. Aim for PRs under 400 lines of changes. Smaller PRs are reviewed more quickly, more thoroughly, and with better feedback. If a feature requires more changes, break it into logical, independently reviewable chunks.

Writing Reviewable Code

Help your reviewers help you. Write clear PR descriptions explaining what changed and why. Include screenshots for UI changes. Highlight areas where you are uncertain and would like specific feedback. Link to relevant tickets or documentation.

Responsive Review Culture

Reviews should happen within hours, not days. Waiting for review is a major source of context switching and WIP accumulation. Consider having dedicated review times—perhaps first thing in the morning and after lunch. Some teams use review rotation to ensure consistent turnaround.

Constructive Feedback

Feedback should be about the code, not the person. Instead of "You did this wrong," try "This approach might cause issues because..." Suggest alternatives rather than just pointing out problems. Acknowledge what was done well. Remember that text lacks tone—when in doubt, be more positive.

Knowing When to Approve

Perfect is the enemy of shipped. If a PR is good enough—functional, readable, tested—approve it even if you would have done something differently. Save nitpicks for truly important issues. Minor style preferences should be handled by automated tooling, not manual review.