How to Set Up Developer Reviews with Your Virtual CTO

Introduction

As startups and small businesses increasingly embrace remote work, the Virtual CTO has become a vital ally in managing and scaling tech teams. But while technical guidance and product strategy often get the spotlight, one powerful yet underutilized function a Virtual CTO can streamline is developer reviews.

Done right, developer reviews boost performance, ensure code quality, align developers with business goals, and strengthen team morale. But without a solid structure, they can feel arbitrary, time-consuming, or even demotivating.

So how can you, with the help of your Virtual CTO, set up developer reviews that actually work? Let’s break it down.

Why Developer Reviews Matter in a Remote-First World

In traditional in-house teams, feedback happens naturally — over coffee breaks, in stand-ups, or through casual code pairings. With distributed teams led by a Virtual CTO, this dynamic must be deliberately designed.

Here’s why structured developer reviews are critical:

• Promote accountability and ownership
• Highlight performance trends early
• Identify skill gaps and upskilling needs
• Encourage open, two-way feedback
• Align tech execution with business outcomes

By setting up a regular, meaningful developer review process, your Virtual CTO can ensure your engineering team not only stays on track — but thrives.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Developer Reviews with Your Virtual CTO

 1. Define the Purpose of Reviews

Before diving into formats or tools, your Virtual CTO should help establish why you're doing developer reviews. Some common objectives include:

• Evaluating performance and contributions
• Tracking progress toward personal and company goals
• Mentoring and coaching opportunities
• Identifying blockers and areas for improvement

Tip: Avoid turning reviews into rigid report cards. Make them collaborative, growth-oriented conversations.

2. Choose the Right Review Cadence

The Virtual CTO will work with team leads and HR (if available) to define the ideal cadence. Depending on team size and project cycles, you can choose:

• Quarterly Reviews: Deep dives into achievements, blockers, and growth plans.
• Monthly Check-Ins: Lighter, more frequent conversations to keep a pulse on progress.
• Bi-weekly Syncs: Useful during high-pressure product sprints or for junior devs.

Consistency beats frequency. Stick to a rhythm your team can rely on.

3. Establish Review Criteria and Metrics

Your Virtual CTO brings technical insight into what matters in developer performance. These may include:

• Code quality: Reusability, clarity, testing practices
• Velocity: Tickets closed, commits made (balanced against complexity)
• Collaboration: Peer feedback, participation in reviews, PR comments
• Problem-solving ability
• Initiative and ownership

Use OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to map these metrics to team and business goals.

For more on developer performance metrics, check out this in-depth guide from Atlassian.

 4. Use a Structured Review Format

Working with your Virtual CTO, create a standardized review template. This ensures fairness and reduces bias.

Typical developer review format:

• Self-assessment (prompted questions)
• Peer feedback (optional, but valuable)
• Manager’s notes (usually the Virtual CTO or tech lead)
• Skill progression grid (e.g., beginner → expert across core areas)
• Goals & next steps (set collaboratively)

Tools like Lattice, 15Five, or even a well-structured Google Doc can streamline the process.

5. Incorporate Code Reviews as a Feedback Channel

Code reviews are an essential input for developer reviews. Your Virtual CTO should ensure:

• Code reviews are documented and consistent
• Senior developers give constructive, respectful feedback
• Issues found during reviews are tracked and discussed during developer evaluations

GitHub’s guide on code review best practices is a must-read for Virtual CTOs building a culture of high-quality engineering.

6. Provide Actionable, Two-Way Feedback

A review isn’t a one-sided monologue. The Virtual CTO should train reviewers to:

• Give clear examples, not just opinions
• Focus on behaviors, not personality
• Balance praise with improvement areas
• Ask the developer for their thoughts and reactions

Encourage developers to give feedback back to the Virtual CTO or management. This builds trust and fosters team engagement.

 7. Document and Follow Up

Post-review, your Virtual CTO should:

• Share written summaries of discussions
• Log agreed-upon goals in a shared system
• Schedule follow-ups to track improvements

Documenting outcomes ensures reviews aren’t forgotten or repeated. It also protects against bias and inconsistency later.

The Role of the Virtual CTO in Ongoing Improvement

Great reviews don’t stop with one session. Your Virtual CTO plays a continuous role by:

• Monitoring review outcomes and identifying org-wide trends
• Helping you adjust goals and expectations as your team scales
• Encouraging a feedback-positive culture
• Making sure tech execution aligns with long-term product strategy

Think of developer reviews not as checkpoints, but as part of an ongoing coaching system designed by your Virtual CTO.

Final Thoughts

A Virtual CTO does more than just architect your stack — they architect your engineering culture. Developer reviews are a foundational part of that culture. When set up correctly, they unlock transparency, growth, and high performance.

Don’t wait for problems to arise. Start building your developer review system now — and let your Virtual CTO guide the way.

Call to Action

Ready to build a high-performing engineering team with the help of a Virtual CTO? Whether you're a startup founder or a scale-up looking to mature your tech operations, a well-structured developer review process can be your competitive edge.

Connect with a Virtual CTO today to set up a feedback system your team will thank you for.

FAQ: Developer Reviews with a Virtual CTO

1. What does a Virtual CTO do in developer reviews?

A Virtual CTO guides the structure, tools, and tone of developer reviews. They ensure the process is aligned with both business goals and developer growth.

2. How often should developer reviews be conducted?

It depends on your team size and maturity, but quarterly reviews with monthly check-ins work well for most tech teams.

3. Are peer reviews necessary?

Peer feedback can be invaluable, especially when collected thoughtfully. Your Virtual CTO can help design anonymous or structured peer-review processes.

4. What tools can we use for remote developer reviews?

Tools like Lattice, 15Five, and Google Docs/Sheets are popular. Your Virtual CTO can recommend one based on your stack and culture.

5. How can I make sure developer reviews don’t feel like micromanagement?

By keeping them collaborative, growth-focused, and consistent. Your Virtual CTO plays a key role in setting the right tone.