Use this checklist before every delivery handoff, even for “small” updates. Most client frustration comes from small misses, not major failures.

Pre-handoff QA checklist

A) Scope alignment

  • Confirm deliverable matches agreed scope.
  • Confirm requested revisions are incorporated.
  • Confirm out-of-scope items are documented separately.

B) Technical/content quality

  • Validate file integrity and formatting.
  • Verify links, references, and assets.
  • Confirm naming/versioning conventions are correct.

C) Client readiness

  • Add short summary of what is included.
  • Add clear usage/implementation notes where needed.
  • Add explicit request for approval or next action.

D) Operational controls

  • Log delivery date in system of record.
  • Update milestone status.
  • Trigger next invoice or next-stage action if applicable.

Final handoff message structure

  • What is being delivered now.
  • What changed from prior draft/milestone.
  • What client should review first.
  • What response is needed and by when.

Common QA misses

  • Sending files with outdated versions.
  • Missing one dependency file or access detail.
  • No explicit next-step request.
  • Delivery logged in email but not in system of record.