Prepare a software and operating handover

Define what is being handed over

A handover should match the agreed engagement and the actual release. It can include software, configuration, design assets, documentation, data responsibilities and operating procedures. Ownership, licensing and third-party service responsibilities should be clear in the engagement.

1. Identify the released scope and the team receiving it.
2. List the materials, access and operating knowledge required.
3. Agree acceptance, outstanding work and support responsibilities.

• A delivered interface does not prove every proposed system connection is live.
• Secrets and credentials must move through the authorized administration process, not inside public documentation.

Walk through the operating tasks

Use representative examples to show normal work and exceptions. The receiving team should know where records are maintained, who can approve changes and how to ask for help when a dependency fails.

• Source code and release references where included in scope.
• System ownership, account administration and provider dependencies.
• Runbooks, training and unresolved limitations.

Close with a shared record

Record what was accepted, what remains open and who owns each next step. The handover should be useful to a person who did not attend the original delivery discussions.

• The accepted release and verification evidence.
• Named roles responsible for operation and access.
• The agreed support route, coverage and next review.