Operations

The freelancer handoff playbook

Jun 30, 20246 min readBy Lina Farouk
Handoff arrows with checklist cards

Make transitions smooth with clear timelines, assets, and documentation that keep projects moving.

Document everything once

Centralize specs, files, and timelines in one place.

One source of truth prevents confusion across multiple collaborators.

Use lightweight templates so each new project starts with the same structure.

Schedule a live handoff

Pair a short walkthrough with written docs to cover nuances.

Recording the session helps future contributors ramp faster.

Invite key stakeholders so alignment happens immediately, not weeks later.

Define what done means

Agree on acceptance criteria before delivery to avoid last-minute changes.

It keeps the wrap-up clean and protects timelines.

List deliverables and a final sign-off step to keep accountability clear.