signoff

Signoff is the act of concluding communications or obtaining formal approval before proceeding with a plan, document, or process. It can refer to the closing of a message or the permission to proceed.

The term originates from historical practice of signing a document to indicate approval or completion. In broadcasting, a sign-off marks the end of a transmitter's program or day.

In communication and media, a sign-off is the closing line or sign-off phrase in a letter or email, such as “Best regards.” In broadcasting it denotes the end of a program and may include station identification or other closing information.

In business and development contexts, sign-off denotes formal approval by an authorized person or group. It is documented as a signed record and marks readiness to proceed, launch a release, or confirm compliance with requirements. It often serves as a checkpoint to ensure alignment among stakeholders before work continues or a product goes to the next phase.

Common variants include internal sign-off, external sign-off, QA sign-off, and regulatory sign-off. Related concepts are approval, authorization, endorsement, and acceptance testing.