The real risk, not just theoretical
An employee who leaves takes context with them: client relationships, undocumented decisions, accounts only they had access to. Without a clear process, part of that context is lost for good.
What prevents the loss
- Tasks and decisions documented in the project, not just discussed verbally.
- Access revoked immediately on departure, explicitly checked, not assumed.
- A clear access role per person, easy to revoke without affecting the rest of the team.
When to do this
Handover shouldn't start on the employee's last day. Continuous documentation, as the work happens, removes the need for an emergency handover right before they leave.
Bottom line
An easy handover isn't luck, it's the result of consistent documentation, not a rushed effort in the final week.