Continuity planning

Use a shadow period for a high-stakes executive handoff

Test whether the receiving support person can run the workflow before authority fully transfers.

4 min readHireExecutiveTeam editorial
Use a shadow period for a high-stakes executive handoff article illustration

Write the operating record before the workflow becomes busy

Write the operating record before the workflow becomes busy. Capture the workflow, outgoing owner, incoming owner, observation period, test cases, acceptance criteria, access changes, and escalation route. At HireExecutiveTeam, that record keeps administrative ownership clear without handing executive judgment to support.

Use the record during real work

Use the record during real work. Link the authoritative source, note any material change, and route an exception while there is still time to act.

The incoming person works only within temporary authority until

The incoming person works only within temporary authority until the accountable owner accepts the handoff and confirms the final access state.

Review a small sample after two operating cycles

Review a small sample after two operating cycles. Look at waiting time, corrections, accepted outcomes, and exceptions. Change the rule with its accountable owner when the evidence shows recurring friction.

Frequently asked questions

Who should approve this workflow?

The leader or functional owner accountable for the result should approve the rule, authority boundary, and exception route.

How much evidence should the team retain?

Keep enough to show the source, authorized action, material exception, and accepted result, subject to the organization's retention and confidentiality rules.

Ready to define the role?

Use a recent leadership week to scope the support that would make the biggest difference. The consultation is a working conversation, not a generic pitch.

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On this page
  1. Write the operating record before the workflow becomes busy
  2. Use the record during real work
  3. The incoming person works only within temporary authority until
  4. Review a small sample after two operating cycles
  5. Frequently asked questions