Creating a Handoff
Everything you need to know about documenting your shift handoff for the incoming operator.
Why Handoffs Exist
Shift handoffs are the single most important communication tool on a production floor. When shifts change, critical context — machine issues, job progress, material shortages, safety concerns — can be lost if not documented. JobLine.ai's handoff system replaces verbal pass-downs and sticky notes with a structured, searchable, and auditable digital record that ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
When to Create a Handoff
Create a handoff at the end of your shift, before you leave your station. The ideal time is during the last 10–15 minutes of your shift, while the details are fresh in your mind. Do not wait until the next day or try to create handoffs from memory — the accuracy of your notes degrades rapidly with time. If you forget to create a handoff, you can still submit one later, but it will be timestamped with the actual submission time.
Accessing the Handoff Form
Click "Create Handoff" from your station panel on the dashboard, or from the station detail page. The form opens with your current station pre-selected. If you are checked into a station, the form also pre-fills the current work order information, parts counts, and machine condition from the latest data.
Work Order Status Section
The first section of the handoff form captures job progress. Confirm or update the active work order number, the parts completed during your shift, the current quantity totals (good, scrap, rework), and whether the job is on track, behind schedule, or ahead. If you completed a work order and started a new one during the shift, note both.
Machine Condition
Select the current machine condition: Running (machine is operational and can continue production), Idle (machine is stopped but has no issues — perhaps waiting for material or the next job), or Down (machine has a fault, error, or requires maintenance before it can run). If selecting Down, provide details in the notes section about what happened and any troubleshooting steps you took.
Notes for the Next Operator
The free-text notes field is where you provide context that does not fit into structured fields. Examples: "Offset Z was adjusted -0.002 after third piece to correct dimension on bore. See inspection report." Or: "Coolant concentration is low — maintenance was notified at 14:30, they said they would top it off before night shift." Be factual and specific. These notes become part of the permanent station record.
Submitting the Handoff
Click "Submit Handoff" to save the record. It is timestamped, linked to your station and user account, and immediately visible to anyone who checks into the station next. Once submitted, a handoff cannot be deleted (to preserve the audit trail), but you can create an amendment handoff if you need to add information you forgot.