Handover

Handover is the transfer of responsibility, authority, and information from one person, team, or organization to another to ensure continuity of operations, safety, and accountability. It is a common practice across many sectors, including healthcare, transportation, information technology, and project management.

In healthcare, handover occurs at shift changes, between departments, or during patient transfers. Effective handover requires timely, accurate, and complete information about a patient’s condition, treatment plan, and outstanding tasks. Standardized tools such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) or ISBAR help structure communication and reduce errors. Documentation and verification steps ensure the receiving clinician has the necessary context.

In transportation and telecommunications, handover refers to transferring an ongoing service or connection from one node or area to another to maintain continuity. In mobile networks, concepts such as hard handover (break-before-make) and soft handover (make-before-break) are used to minimize service disruption as users move between cells or routes.

In project management and operations, handover occurs when responsibilities shift from a development or production team to operations, or when a project concludes and ownership is transferred to the client or maintenance teams. A handover typically includes notes, responsibilities, contact points, and escalation procedures, and is confirmed with a sign-off.

Key risks include incomplete information, miscommunication, or missing tasks. Effective handover practices rely on standardized checklists, documented procedures, explicit acceptance criteria, and opportunities for questions or clarification.