The parts of a workflow

Hand-offs

A hand-off is what one step passes to the next. It always has the same shape: a table with the same columns, a numbered list, a short record.

Step oneA table, samecolumns every time:item | owner | dateStep two
Step one
The first step finishes its job.

A real example

What step 1 hands to step 2

From the template: Turn meeting notes into decisions and actions
  1. Step 1 (Pull out decisions) hands backA table of decisions, each row with the line it came from.
  2. Step 2 (List the actions) begins withDecisions already listed: [the tables from step 1, exactly as they came back]

What makes a good hand-off

  1. 1The same shape every timeA table with fixed columns, not a paragraph that changes from run to run.
  2. 2Said in plain wordsEach step lists what it hands back, so you can see what the next step will receive.
  3. 3The source stays closeA hand-off can carry the line each item came from, so a check can look it up later.

Templates that use this part

  1. Write a summary of a long documentStep 1 hands back: a numbered list of the document's parts, each with where it starts and what it covers.
  2. Draft three versions and pick the bestStep 1 hands back: three complete versions, each labeled with its approach.
  3. Check whether a draft reads like AI, and fix itStep 1 hands back: a numbered table of every tell found with the exact words, and a count.
  4. Review a draft before you send itStep 1 hands back: a table of writing problems, each with the exact words and a suggested fix.
  5. Turn meeting notes into decisions and actionsStep 1 hands back: a table of decisions, each row with the line it came from.
  6. Find themes in comments or interview notesStep 1 hands back: a table with every comment, its number and its label.
  7. Scope a job before you startStep 1 hands back: a numbered table of every piece of work, each marked stated or assumed.
  8. Hand off a task to someone elseStep 1 hands back: a table that sorts every piece into hand over, keep or decide first.
  9. Compare options and get a recommendationStep 1 hands back: for each option, a list of stated facts and a list of facts that are missing.
  10. Build your "how I like work done" fileStep 1 hands back: a table of 6 to 12 rules, each with a reason and a test.