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Handoff Map

Trace the last few pieces of work end to end and mark every point where they changed hands. Across time zones a handoff costs a day that never shows up on the board.

Steps

  1. 4 min
    Set the stage

    Every handoff across a time zone, a tool or a team costs time nobody logs. Today we find out how much.

  2. 12 min
    Map the crossings

    Draw the last two or three pieces of work end to end. Mark every point where the work changed hands.

  3. 10 min
    Price the waits

    At each crossing, write how long the work sat waiting. Estimate if you must — the pattern matters more than the precision.

  4. 12 min
    Find the expensive one

    Pick the crossing that cost the most and ask what would have to be true for it to disappear entirely.

  5. 7 min
    Agree the change

    One owned change to that crossing before the next retro. Removing a handoff beats speeding one up.