Fractional offboarding: the handoff doc that protects your reputation
Every fractional engagement ends. A clean handoff doc turns the last 30 days into your best referral source.
Operators who leave well get referrals for years. Operators who ghost out don't. The whole difference is a 1-page handoff doc and a calm last 30 days.
The handoff doc
Current state: where each major workstream stands, in 1–2 sentences each.
Open loops: anything in flight, with owner, deadline, and where the file lives.
Vendors and tools: list of accounts, who owns the login, renewal dates.
Recommended next 90 days: what you'd do if you were staying.
Recommended next hire (if any): role, profile, where to find them.
The last 30 days
Tell the founder 30+ days out. Surprise exits damage trust permanently.
Help find your replacement if asked. The intro you make is worth more than the last invoice.
Send a 'how to refer me' note in the final week with 2 ICP examples.
About fractional offboarding handoff
What if the engagement ended badly?+
Still send the handoff doc. Be factual, brief, and dignified. The founder will remember it and the network is small.