# Delegation Handoff Checklist

Delegation fails in the ninety seconds where the task changes hands, not during the work.

## The six things
- [ ] **The outcome** — what done looks like, as a result rather than an activity
- [ ] **Why it matters** — who uses this, and what happens next
- [ ] **The constraints** — budget, deadline, tools, what must not change, who to consult
- [ ] **The decision level** — say the number out loud (below)
- [ ] **A reference** — the last good version, an example, or the SOP
- [ ] **The checkpoint** — agreed NOW, before work starts

A checkpoint agreed at handoff is support. The same question asked unannounced on
Thursday is surveillance.

## Decision levels — name one
1. Do exactly this, as specified
2. Look into it and report back; I decide
3. Recommend an option; I approve
4. Decide and act, tell me before you do
5. Decide and act; tell me after, or don't

Most people delegate at level 1 and expect level 4 behaviour.

## The cost curve — expect this

| Attempt | Your time vs doing it yourself |
|---|---|
| 1st | Considerably more |
| 2nd | Somewhat more |
| 3rd | About the same |
| 4th+ | Substantially less, permanently |

People quit in attempt two, having paid the whole cost and collected none of the return.

## When it comes back wrong — check the brief first
- [ ] Was the outcome described as an activity?
- [ ] Was the standard in my head rather than in the brief?
- [ ] Was the decision level stated?
- [ ] Was a constraint missing?
- [ ] Was a reference provided?

Each is a handoff defect. Fix the brief and re-hand it — don't take it back.