Do you know how to hand over email tasks or responsibilities to others?

The most dangerous time in a task's life cycle is in a handover. This is the most likely time for a misunderstanding to occur leading to a task getting lost and not being completed.

Always make sure you clearly reallocate a task with an email to the person who will complete the task.

❌ Figure: Bad example - Task not directly reallocated

✅ Figure: Good example - Clear reassignment from Andy to David

Handing over employee's responsibilities

If you are handing over an employee responsibility using an intranet, you should always talk to the person first, then send an email as an "as per our conversation" email, including a link and copying the important stuff.

Tips:

• You should send each task in a different email so they are easily searchable in the employee's email inbox when they need to review the instructions sent
• Cc the manager who originally gave you that responsibility so they are clear who they should chase if something is missed in the future

✅ Figure: Good example - Clear reassignment from Andy to Mary