Every project we build is designed to be handed off. This constraint actually improves the work—systems built for handoff tend to be cleaner, better documented, and more maintainable than systems built assuming the original team will maintain them forever.
Documentation is necessary but not sufficient. We focus on three layers: reference documentation (what things are), operational runbooks (how to do common tasks), and architectural decision records (why things are the way they are).
Code patterns matter as much as code comments. Consistent patterns reduce the cognitive load for new team members. We prefer boring, predictable code structures over clever optimizations.
Knowledge transfer is a process, not an event. The best handoffs include a period of supported operation where the receiving team handles issues with the building team available for guidance.