ReviewSchleifen

ReviewSchleifen is a concept used in software development and product management to describe iterative review loops that check artifacts at multiple stages of the lifecycle. The term combines the English word review with the German Schleifen, meaning loops, and appears in German-speaking organizations and cross-border teams to emphasize repetition and feedback.

Purpose and scope: ReviewSchleifen aim to detect defects early, clarify requirements, and align stakeholders. They support quality assurance by applying formal or semi-formal reviews at several gates, such as requirements, design, implementation, and verification. The approach can be integrated with agile rituals or continuous delivery practices to ensure incremental improvement.

Process: Each loop typically involves planning the review, selecting participants, inspecting artifacts, collecting and prioritizing feedback, and implementing changes. Loops are timeboxed, and artifacts may undergo multiple rounds until acceptance criteria are met. Documentation, traceability, and metrics such as defect density and cycle time accompany the process.

Benefits and challenges: When well managed, ReviewSchleifen increase defect detection, reduce rework, and improve cross-team understanding. Risks include added overhead, potential bottlenecks, and fatigue if overused. Success depends on clear criteria, skilled moderators, psychological safety, and automation support.

Variants and context: The concept overlaps with design reviews, code reviews, and gate reviews in regulated environments. It is used in software engineering, product design, and compliance projects, often alongside continuous integration, test automation, and retrospectives.