Why a Good Handover Process Matters
Scenario
Before a holiday, I plan the tasks I manage and ensure there is cover where needed. If I don’t plan carefully, the team could be left with questions or gaps that slow them down and my managers would be left confused.
The Challenge
The biggest challenge is ensuring continuity. How can I step away without creating bottlenecks? Who can I ask for support while I am away. Is there any tasks that can wait?
The Turning Point
I built a clear handover workflow. The goal was simple: the team should have everything they need to keep moving without depending on me.
Workflow
Handover Document: Write a clear list of ongoing projects, upcoming deadlines and open items.
Ownership Assignment: Every task has a named person responsible while I was away or whether it could wait until I was back. If someone else was taking over while I was away, ensured they received the required training.
Communication Plan: I shared the handover with my management team, so expectations were set ahead of time.
Out-of-Office Message: Directed people to the right contacts instead of leaving them waiting for me. Informed them of when I was back at work.
Result
I came back to updates rather than confusion of tasks.
The team had the clarity they needed, and work carried on smoothly.
The handover document gave the team confidence that all tasks were being managed.