A walkthrough in static testing is a formal yet somewhat informal review process used to evaluate a software product’s design, code, test cases, or documentation without executing the code. It is primarily focused on knowledge sharing, learning, and gaining an understanding of the software artifacts under review. The main characteristics and objectives of a walkthrough include:
- Purpose: The primary goal of a walkthrough is to identify potential defects, misunderstandings, or ambiguities in the software artifacts. It also serves as an educational exercise for the team members, helping them understand the work product better and fostering a shared understanding among the team.
- Participants: A walkthrough typically involves the author of the work product being reviewed, along with other stakeholders such as developers, testers, project managers, and sometimes even customer representatives. The participants vary depending on the nature of the work product and the objectives of the walkthrough.
- Process: The author of the document or code leads the walkthrough session, explaining the material and the logic behind it. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, suggest improvements, and identify any errors or issues. The process is somewhat informal, with the emphasis on dialogue and understanding rather than strict adherence to a predefined procedure.
- Preparation: While walkthroughs require some preparation from the participants, especially the author, the level of preparation is generally less rigorous than that required for inspections or formal reviews. Participants might review the materials in advance, but the focus is on discussion and feedback during the meeting itself.
- Outcome: The outcome of a walkthrough can include a list of identified issues, questions, and suggestions for improvement. These findings are typically documented by a scribe (if one is appointed) and are used to improve the quality of the software product. Unlike more formal reviews, the follow-up process may be less structured, with the author responsible for addressing the feedback as appropriate.
Walkthroughs are valuable in the early stages of development, where the goal is to gain a common understanding and catch potential issues early, making them easier and less costly to resolve. They foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and collective ownership of the project’s quality.