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Working at Cornell

Knowledge Transfer

row of jars of multicolored fruit preserves

Make sure you don’t lose important knowledge when you lose a team member!

The Knowledge Transfer Checklist process provides a simple, standardized approach that can be used when an employee transitions to a new Cornell role or leaves the university. 

The goal is not to document everything, but to capture what someone else needs to step into the role, keep work moving forward, reduce disruption, and minimize risk during staffing changes. What matters most is that the information is clear and accessible to others.

When it’s useful

  • When an employee is exiting their current position (i.e., promotions, transfers, retirements, resignations, other separations)
  • To share during the Onboarding process for a new employee
  • To prepare for interim support during a planned leave of absence
  • Regularly capturing key position information to support unexpected exits as part of strategic business continuity planning 

Why it’s used

  • Prevent disruption in critical work during transitions
  • Retention of unique institutional knowledge
  • Faster onboarding for new hires

Transition Readiness Checklist for People Leaders

First step: Are you ready? 

As a critical part of business continuity planning, and in addition to knowledge transfer, transition readiness ensures work continues seamlessly during employee departures or role changes. Together, these actions help minimize disruption, maintain momentum, and ensure continuity of service while longer-term transitions are finalized. 

  • Interim or successor identified
  • Handoff meetings completed
  • Training or job shadowing completed (if applicable)

Position Transfer Checklist 

This checklist is designed to help ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. We have created a template you can use but it is not required. Transition information may be captured in any format that works best for the employee and manager. For example:

Remember:

  • The goal is not to document everything—focus on what someone else would need to successfully take this your work. 
  • Passwords should never be shared. Coordinate technology and application access changes with IT.
  • What matters most is that the information is clear and accessible to others.

Checklist Items:

  • Core Responsibilities
  • Recurring Tasks & Timelines
  • Active Projects
  • Upcoming Milestones/Dates
  • Key Workflows
  • Systems, Tools, Platforms
  • Email Accounts, Shared Materials
  • File Naming Conventions
  • Key Internal Partners
  • Key External Contacts
  • Standing Meetings & Communications
  • Known Risks & Challenges
  • Ideas for Improvements