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MOVE 88 · EXIT & RECOVERY · FREE

Hand Over Cleanly

When leaving a project or role, provide a clear, organised handover so the work continues and your reputation is protected.

A clean handover is the last piece of work people judge you by.
Low riskWalk-away decisionClient scopePartnershipRecover the relationshipDecide whether to walk away

WHY IT WORKS

Messy exits leave others struggling and create lasting negative impressions. A structured handover — status, documents, access, open risks — lets the work continue, reduces the chance of disputes and is often what people remember most about how you worked.

WHEN TO USE IT

  • You are ending an engagement or moving roles.
  • Someone else will take over your work.

WHEN NOT TO USE IT

  • The engagement ends with no continuing work.
  • Confidentiality or legal advice restricts what you can share.

SIGNALS IT FITS

  • Only you know where key files or passwords are.
  • Your successor has not been briefed.

PREPARATION

  • List all active work, files, access and contacts.
  • Note open risks and decisions pending.

STEP BY STEP

  1. Create a handover document.
  2. Walk the successor through it.
  3. Transfer access and remove your own as agreed.
  4. Offer a short post-handover check-in window.

OPENING LINE

“I've prepared a handover so the transition is as smooth as possible.”

SCRIPT

I've prepared a handover doc covering current status, open risks, file locations and key contacts. Can we do a 45-minute walkthrough with Alex on Thursday?

LIKELY RESPONSES & COUNTERS

If they ask for ongoing support
Offer a defined, limited period, or a paid support arrangement.
If they seem satisfied
Confirm the completion in writing.

SECOND MOVE

After the handover, use Run the Post-Mortem for your own learning.

FOLLOW-UP

Send a brief completion confirmation and remove your access as agreed.

COMMON MISTAKES

  • Leaving undocumented passwords or knowledge.
  • Offering unlimited post-exit support.

WALK-AWAY CONDITIONS

  • Not applicable: complete the handover even when the relationship has soured, within your obligations.

EXAMPLE (FICTIONAL)

An agency ending a contract provided a twelve-page handover and a two-week support window. The client later referred two new customers, citing the professionalism of the exit.

ETHICAL BOUNDARY

Hand over completely and honestly, including known risks. Withholding information to make the transition difficult is unprofessional.

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Content version 1 · Drafted by Power Move IQ Editorial · Not yet human-reviewed · Educational decision support, not legal, financial or employment advice.