In a formal review, who is responsible for running the inspection meeting?

In a formal review, the facilitator is responsible for running the inspection meeting. The facilitator's role is crucial as they guide the review process, ensuring that the meeting adheres to its objectives and stays on track. They help create a structured environment where participants can provide constructive feedback, identify defects, and discuss issues related to the work product being reviewed.

The facilitator is typically neutral and does not have a vested interest in the content of the work, which helps to maintain an unbiased atmosphere during the discussions. This role involves preparing the agenda, controlling the time spent on each topic, and managing the participation of all attendees to encourage balanced contributions.

In contrast, the programmer, author, and project manager each have different responsibilities. The programmer is responsible for creating the code, the author works on the documentation or material being reviewed, and the project manager oversees the overall project activities but does not typically facilitate the review meeting itself. This separation of roles helps to focus the review process on the content rather than the personalities involved.