This handover checklist guides both the person handing over and the person or team receiving it, ensuring that all critical information is covered.

Ensure a seamless and successful transfer of responsibilities, projects, or roles from one team or individual to another with this project handover checklist template.

Use this free project handover checklist template to:

• Reduce risk: Minimize the chance of missing critical information or tasks, ensuring a smooth and seamless transfer of responsibility.
• Set clear expectations: By outlining deliverables, timelines, and roles, both teams understand their expectations from the start.
• Faster onboarding: The team that receives the project can easily understand its context, helping to reduce any potential delays.
• Improve continuity: Ensure essential knowledge and lessons learned are documented and shared — no need to reinvent the wheel.
• Reduce errors: Clear documentation reduces the risk of errors or misunderstandings due to incomplete information.
• Identify issues and risks: Potential risks and incomplete tasks are communicated before transferring responsibility, avoiding any unexpected issues in the future.

This project handover checklist template outlines:

Pre-handover checklist:

• Project details and documents: This includes the project scope document, project schedule, resource allocation, budget, forecasts, contact details of key stakeholders, and meeting dates.
• Project status: Provide a transparent overview of the current state of the project, including any outstanding tasks, risks, and issues.
• Knowledge transfer: Plan and schedule knowledge transfer sessions between the outgoing and incoming teams or individuals.
• Communication plan: Set expectations for communication frequency and format between the handing-over and receiving teams.
• Log-in details and passwords: Include necessary credentials for systems and tools used.
• Actionable notes and recommendations to ensure a smooth transition.

Handover checklist:

• Project overview: Briefly describe what's involved and its objectives.
• Current status: Summarize the current stage, including achievements, outstanding tasks, deadlines, risks, and issues.
• Roles and responsibilities: Clarify who is responsible for what tasks and deliverables, both before and after the handover.
• Key contacts and stakeholders: List important individuals involved with names, roles, and contact information.
• Known issues and challenges: Highlight any existing problems and potential hurdles to be aware of.
• Resources and documentation: Provide details of relevant resources like files, reports, guidelines, and access details.

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