Which of the following review types is least formal?

In the context of review types in software development or requirements engineering, walkthroughs are indeed the least formal option. A walkthrough typically involves a group of participants, including the author of the document and other stakeholders, who meet to discuss and review the content in a collaborative manner. This process is usually more conversational and less structured compared to other review types.

During walkthroughs, participants may go through the material step by step, asking questions and providing feedback in a relaxed environment. The primary goal is to enhance understanding and gather diverse perspectives without the pressures of formal procedures or strict criteria. This distinguishes walkthroughs from audits, inspections, and technical reviews, all of which usually follow more rigorous protocols, detailed checklists, and formal rules to assess compliance and quality more critically.

By recognizing that walkthroughs embrace collaboration and are more informal in their approach, we can appreciate why they are considered the least formal type of review among the listed options.