This article is about the U.S. government process. For the general principle, see Design review.
In the United States military integrated acquisition lifecycle [1][2] the Technical section has multiple acquisition "Technical Reviews".[3] Technical reviews and audits assist the acquisition and the number and types are tailored to the acquisition.[4] Overall guidance flows from the Defense Acquisition Guidebook chapter 4,[5] with local details further defined by the review organizations.[6][7][8][9] Typical topics examined include adequacy of program/contract metrics, proper staffing, risks, budget, and schedule.
In NASA's engineering design life cycle, design reviews are held for technical and programmatic accountability and to authorize the release of funding to a project.[10] A design review provides an in-depth assessment by an independent team of discipline experts and managers that the design (or concept) is realistic and attainable from a programmatic and technical sense.
Design review is also required of medical device developers as part of a system of design controls described in the US Food and Drug Administration's governing regulations in 21CFR820. In 21CFR820.3(h), design review is described as "documented, comprehensive, systematic examination of the design to evaluate the adequacy of the design requirements, to evaluate the capability of the design to meet these requirements, and to identify problems". The FDA also specifies that a design review should include an independent reviewer.