# Design Review Techniques Design review techniques are small moves you can use while a review is happening. They help guide how the conversation moves. The goal is to turn feedback into decisions and decisions into progress. Most teams already run design reviews. The harder part is making the feedback useful. A review can create a lot of comments and still leave the team without a clear direction. These techniques help you shape the conversation in real time so the review stays focused and moves forward. ### **Why this matters** Design reviews can feel productive and still lead to weak outcomes. That usually happens when: - Feedback becomes scattered - People react to the work before clarifying the problem - Opinions repeat without changing the direction - Decisions take too long or do not stick - Ownership stays unclear - Next steps are vague This happens when the conversation loses structure. Techniques give you simple ways to bring the conversation back. You do not need to use all of them. In most cases, one or two well-timed moves can shift the entire review. You are responding to what is happening in the room. ### **How techniques work** Techniques are used in the moment, while the review is happening. Start by noticing where the conversation is losing strength. - Is the problem unclear? - Is feedback too vague? - Are opinions repeating? - Is the group exploring without choosing? - Is everyone aligned, but no one owns the next step? - Is the call ending without clear action? Then use a technique that matches that moment. The output is a shift in the conversation. A good technique helps the group move from confusion to clarity, from reaction to direction, or from agreement to action. * * * ## **How this connects to SIGNAL** The techniques map directly to the six parts of the SIGNAL framework: [Surface](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/surface-techniques) → [Identify](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/identify-techniques) → [Ground](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/grounding-techniques) → [Navigate](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/navigating-techniques) → [Align](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/align-techniques) → [Lock](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/lock-momentum) Each stage has its own challenges and its own set of techniques. - [**Surface**](https://glare.zurb.com/docs/design-review/design-review-techniques/surface-techniques) — bring the real problem into the room - [**Identify**](https://glare.zurb.com/docs/design-review/design-review-techniques/identify-techniques) — define what success looks like - [**Ground**](https://glare.zurb.com/docs/design-review/design-review-techniques/grounding-techniques) — connect the discussion to real signals - [**Navigate**](https://glare.zurb.com/docs/design-review/design-review-techniques/navigating-techniques) — shape a clear direction - [**Align**](https://glare.zurb.com/docs/design-review/design-review-techniques/align-techniques) — make responsibility visible - [**Lock**](https://glare.zurb.com/docs/design-review/design-review-techniques/lock-momentum) — turn the conversation into action When a conversation starts to meander, use the technique area that matches the stage where the review is breaking down. ### **How to choose a technique** Use the technique that matches where the conversation is stuck. - If people are reacting too quickly, go back to Surface. - If feedback feels vague, move to Identify. - If opinions are repeating, bring in Ground. - If the team keeps exploring without choosing, use Navigate. - If people agree but no one owns the work, use Align. - If the call is ending without action, use Lock. You do not need to diagnose the whole review in the moment. Just notice what is weakening the conversation and use one move to bring it back. ### **Surface the Challenges** Start with the real problem. Use Surface techniques when the conversation is reacting to the design before the group has named what is actually wrong. These techniques help the team slow down, clarify the challenge, and understand what is driving the review. They help the group: - Name the real issue - Make the tension visible - Connect feedback to a problem - Avoid scattered reactions 👉 Explore: [**Surface the Challenges**](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/surface-techniques) ### **Identify Outcomes** Define what better means. Use Identify techniques when feedback is vague or the group has not agreed on what success looks like. These techniques help the team turn broad reactions into clearer outcomes. They help the group: - clarify what should improve - connect feedback to user needs - define what success looks like - make decisions easier to evaluate 👉 Explore: [**Identify Outcomes**](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/identify-techniques) ### ** Ground in Signals** Bring real evidence into the conversation. Use Ground techniques when opinions are repeating or the discussion is drifting away from what users actually do, think, or feel. These techniques help the team bring signals into the review so the conversation has something real to respond to. They help the group: - use data, feedback, and observed behavior - reduce opinion-driven loops - compare options with evidence - build more confidence in the direction 👉 Explore: [**Ground in Signals**](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/grounding-techniques) ### **Navigate Decisions** Turn discussion into direction. Use Navigate techniques when the group keeps exploring but no clear path is forming. These techniques help the team make tradeoffs, shape a recommendation, and move toward a decision. They help the group: - compare options - clarify tradeoffs - form a recommendation - move from discussion to direction 👉 Explore: [**Navigate Decisions**](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/navigating-techniques) ### **Align Ownership** Make responsibility clear. Use Align techniques when the group agrees on a direction, but ownership is still unclear. These techniques help the team connect the decision to people, roles, and responsibilities. They help the group: - name who owns the next step - clarify decision authority - define responsibilities - reduce confusion after the call 👉 Explore: [**Align Ownership**](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/align-techniques) ### **Lock Momentum** Turn the conversation into action. Use Lock techniques when the call is ending and the next step is still soft. These techniques help the team confirm what happens next before the review ends. They help the group: - define clear actions - confirm owners - set timing - carry momentum into the work 👉 Explore: [**Lock Momentum**](https://glare.helio.app/document-overview/design-review/design-review-techniques/lock-momentum) * * * ## **Why this improves reviews** Techniques help teams shape the conversation while it is happening. They give you simple ways to: - Guide feedback - Improve clarity - Move toward decisions - Keep momentum Over time, this creates more consistent design reviews, clearer decisions, and stronger outcomes.