Handoffs fail when “done” means different things to different people. Acceptance criteria make the transfer reviewable and reduce the number of follow-up messages needed to start work.
Define the output
Name the exact asset, route, audience, or report being handed over. Include the format, owner, due date, and source of truth. A vague deliverable cannot be accepted consistently.
Define quality
List the checks that apply: factual support, links, metadata, accessibility, tracking, or CRM fields. The article quality scorecard is useful for content assets, while campaign work needs audience and destination checks.
Define open items
Separate blockers from optional improvements. Each blocker needs an owner and next action. Do not hide uncertainty inside a general note that the next person must interpret.
Confirm acceptance
The receiving owner confirms the output, evidence, and next action. If it is rejected, the reason should point to a criterion. This turns handoff feedback into a process improvement instead of a personal preference. +## Make acceptance observable
For content, check audience, complete sections, sources, links, route, and next action. For campaigns, check audience rules, destination, tracking, consent, and ownership. Each criterion should produce inspectable evidence.
Handle disagreement
Record the failed criterion and smallest correction. If scope changes, create a new decision rather than quietly expanding work. Review recurring rejection reasons and improve the upstream brief.
