How can a high number of hand-offs affect a business process?

A high number of hand-offs in a business process is likely to create delays because each hand-off involves a transfer of responsibility and information from one person or team to another. This can lead to several issues: potential miscommunication, the need for additional clarifications, waiting for the next person to become available, or even the risk of tasks falling through the cracks. As a consequence, each hand-off can introduce delays in the process, leading to longer lead times and slower overall performance.

In contrast, fewer hand-offs usually contribute to a more streamlined process, as responsibilities remain with fewer individuals or teams, reducing the chances of miscommunication and increasing accountability. While a certain number of hand-offs can be necessary for the checks and balances in a process, an excessive number often leads to inefficiencies rather than optimal outcomes.