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One decision. Clear ownership. · Start the handover

Choosing the right owner for a decision

The person closest to the work may have the best information but lack permission, time or experience. Choose an owner by examining all four rather than assigning the decision to whoever responds fastest.

Put it into practice

  1. Identify who already sees the relevant information.

  2. Check capability, available time and authority against the decision.

  3. Agree the support needed and a named alternate for absence.

Illustrative example

A case to think through

A project coordinator may know the schedule, but a delivery manager may need to own changes affecting several teams until the coordinator has broader authority.

This is a hypothetical operating example, not a client result.

A boundary worth checking

Assigning accountability to an overstretched person can create another approval queue rather than removing one.

A useful first handover is small enough to test and meaningful enough to matter. Keep the original work records so the review can distinguish what was agreed from what happened. If the recipient cannot explain a suitable ordinary case and an exception, clarify the agreement before expanding it.

Use a real case from your business

Your handover working notes

Use these prompts with the person taking ownership. Record the agreement within your existing permissions.

PromptNotes from your case
Candidate
knowledge
capacity
authority
development need

Must the owner be the most senior person?

No. The owner needs suitable authority and capability for the decision. Seniority alone does not establish either.

Your next step

Give one decision a clear owner.

A free fillable PDF with a worked example and conversation prompts. Marketing updates are optional.

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