I fumbled this a bit because my first instinct was to say 'when everyone signs off' which is basically a non-answer.
Frame design review completion as a decision-making milestone, not just a meeting end. Define clear exit criteria upfront—such as alignment on user problem, solution direction, and next steps—and confirm them explicitly with stakeholders. Emphasize that completion means the team is unblocked and committed to move forward.
Pro tip: At Google, design reviews often end with a 'go/no-go' decision; explicitly state that completion requires a documented decision and owner for next steps, not just consensus. This shows you value action over endless discussion.
Before the review, align with stakeholders on what must be decided (e.g., user problem validation, design direction, resource commitment) for the review to be considered complete.
During the review, steer the conversation toward the predefined criteria, ensuring all voices are heard but the focus remains on making a clear decision.
Explicitly ask each key stakeholder if they agree with the decision and are committed to the next steps; address any lingering concerns or dissent.
Summarize the decision, action items, owners, and deadlines in a shared document to ensure accountability and clarity.
Send a follow-up message to all participants confirming the review is complete and outlining the agreed path forward, so everyone is aligned.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.