Synthesis Whiteboard Framework: Review Checklist

Review checklist

Review Checklist for Synthesis Whiteboard Framework focuses on answer completeness score, mechanism-first explanation quality. The goal is to connect observed QoR movement to mechanism, ownership, and regression risk.

• Run manifest is attached (RTL/SDC/libs/switches).

• Primary metric and impacted lane are named.

• Mechanism hypothesis is evidence-backed.

• Fix is reversible and owner-assigned.

• Regression matrix includes timing, area, power, and equivalence as needed.

• Owners signed: candidate, interviewer, panel lead.

Sign-off ownership

OWNERSHIP MAP — Synthesis Whiteboard Framework

artifact              owner
----------------      -----------------
compile owner       candidate
timing/power owner  interviewer
cross-team review   panel lead

Every QoR movement needs a named owner before ECO.

Synthesis deep dive

Interview readiness comes from repeatable QoR reasoning under pressure.

Concept diagram

INTERVIEW ANSWER SHAPE

context -> metric -> mechanism -> fix -> regression -> ownership

Metric graph

PANEL SCORING

clarity      ███████
mechanism    ██████
regression   █████

Reports and artifacts

• mock scorecard

• scenario debrief

• Q&A coverage

• framework adherence

Mini case study

Candidate improved by replacing tool-command answers with evidence-driven closure narratives.

Debug branches

• State assumptions first

• Defend option tradeoffs

• Close with rollback/regression

Senior review question

Ask: what evidence proves this QoR move is real and stable?

Key takeaways

• State exact run context (RTL, SDC, libs, switches) with every QoR claim.

• Re-run timing, area, and power regressions after each synthesis ECO.

Common pitfalls

• Comparing runs with mismatched constraints or library views.

• Timing-only fixes that violate power or area budgets.

• Skipping equivalence checks after structural changes.

Principal synthesis review addendum

Strong synthesis answers narrate constraint intent, mapping path, QoR evidence, and regression risk in a fixed reusable structure.

Metric: answer completeness score, mechanism-first explanation quality