Internship Handover Standard Operating Procedure

What a good one includes

• A daily, weekly, and monthly calendar layout that clearly maps out all recurring tasks and their exact deadlines.
• Step-by-step guides for specialized software and tools, complete with links to access request forms and user manuals.
• An emergency troubleshooting section detailing common roadblocks in the daily workflow and how to resolve them.
• A communication directory listing the names, roles, and preferred contact methods of key stakeholders and team members.
• Direct links to active project files, templates, and shared drives to prevent the new intern from searching through cluttered folders.
• A list of ongoing, unfinished projects with clear notes on their current status and immediate next steps.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using internal team jargon or acronyms without defining them, leaving the incoming intern confused.
• Writing vague task descriptions instead of listing the exact steps, tools, and brand guidelines required to finish the job.
• Leaving the creation of the document to your very last afternoon when you no longer have time to test the instructions for accuracy.
• Forgetting to update or remove temporary local file paths that the next intern will not be able to access on their own computer.

Frequently asked questions