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Workflow Template

Asset Handover and Return Workflow

Tracks assets issued to custodians end-to-end: captures handover details, gets custodian acknowledgement of receipt, records return condition, and manages follow-up for damaged or missing items until the asset record is closed out as Returned.

Organisations issuing equipment, devices or other assets to staff, contractors or third parties need a consistent, visible way to confirm who holds what, in what condition, and when it is due back. This workflow tracks each asset loan as a single record from initial handover through custodian acknowledgement, return condition capture and, where needed, follow-up on damaged or missing items, until the record is closed out as Returned. Coordinators, custodians and any staff assigned follow-up tasks are all involved at defined points, with status and timeline visible throughout.

Business Outcomes

  • Helps reduce disputes over asset condition by capturing custodian acknowledgement of receipt in writing
  • Supports faster visibility into which assets are on loan, overdue, or in follow-up via status-based views
  • Makes it easier to track resolution and cost recovery for damaged or missing items
  • Streamlines coordinator workload with automated acknowledgement and update emails at each stage
  • Improves consistency of handover and return records across teams and locations

Workflow Steps

Steps

  1. 1
    Create asset loan recordcreate record

    Registers the submitted handover details as a new asset loan record.

  2. 2
    Set status to Handoverupdate record

    Sets the loan status field to Handover at record creation.

  3. 3
    Email coordinator acknowledgementsend email

    Sends the coordinator an acknowledgement email with the asset loan reference number.

  4. 4
    Request custodian acknowledgement of receiptrequest external input

    Emails the custodian a form listing the asset, condition and accessories and waits for their confirmation of receipt.

  5. 5
    Set status to On Loanupdate record

    Updates the loan status to On Loan once the custodian confirms receipt.

  6. 6
    Coordinator: record asset returncreate task

    Creates a task for the coordinator to record the return condition, missing items and outcome, with no due date.

  7. 7
    Save return details to recordupdate record

    Persists the condition on return, missing items and outcome to the asset loan record.

  8. 8
    Route on return outcome

    Branches based on whether the asset was returned complete or damaged/missing items.

    return_outcome: "Damaged or missing items"→Set status to Follow-up
    return_outcome: "Returned complete"→Set status to Returned
    Default→Set status to Returned
  9. 9
    Set status to Follow-upupdate record

    Updates the loan status to Follow-up due to damage or missing items.

  10. 10
    Coordinator: resolve follow-upcreate task

    Creates a task due in 5 days for the coordinator to record how the damage or missing items were resolved and any cost recovered.

  11. 11
    Save follow-up resolution to recordupdate record

    Persists the resolution notes and cost recovered to the asset loan record.

  12. 12
    Set status to Returnedupdate record

    Updates the loan status to Returned, closing out the loan.

  13. 13
    Email coordinator asset record updatedsend email

    Notifies the coordinator that the asset record has been updated to Returned.

Fields

Show all 17 fields

FormAsset Handover Form

  • Coordinator Name*· Text
  • Coordinator Email*· Email
  • Asset*· Text
  • Asset Tag*· Text
  • Custodian Name*· Text
  • Custodian Email*· Email
  • Condition at Handover*· Long text
  • Accessories Included· Text
  • Expected Return Date*· Date

TaskCoordinator: record asset return

  • Condition on Return*· Long text
  • Missing Items (if any)· Long text
  • Return Outcome*· Choice

TaskCoordinator: resolve follow-up

  • Resolution Notes*· Long text
  • Cost Recovered· Number

Other fields

  • Loan Status· Choice
  • I confirm I have received the asset and accessories listed*· Checkbox
  • Comments (optional)· Long text
  • Coordinator Name*
  • Coordinator Email*
  • Asset*
  • Asset Tag*
  • Custodian Name*
  • Custodian Email*

Forms

Asset Handover Form

9 fields

Data Views

Asset Loans

asset_name, asset_tag, custodian_name, expected_return_date +1 more

Dashboard Widgets

Assets by Loan Status

Recommended integrations

Setup the following integrations to extend workflow capability.

  • Send email in the workflow

    AWS SES logoAWS SES
asset handoverasset returnequipment handoverasset custodycompany equipment

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FAQs

What does this workflow record at each stage of an asset loan?

The record captures the original handover details from the request form, the custodian's confirmation of receipt and any comments, the condition on return, missing items and return outcome, and, where follow-up is needed, resolution notes and cost recovered. Each of these is saved to the asset loan record because the workflow waits for the relevant task or form before moving on, so the full history is visible in the record's timeline alongside its status changes.

Who is involved in the asset handover and return process?

A coordinator submits the initial handover request and later records the return condition and any follow-up resolution as assigned tasks. The custodian is contacted directly by email to confirm receipt of the asset, without needing an account, and receives this as a form rather than a task.

What happens if the returned asset is damaged or has missing items?

The workflow routes the record based on the return outcome entered by the coordinator: if it is marked as damaged or missing items, the status is set to Follow-up and a task is created for the coordinator, due in 5 days, to record how the issue was resolved and any cost recovered. Once that task is completed, the resolution notes and cost recovered are saved to the record and the status is set to Returned.

How do we change what information is collected on the request or return forms?

The fields on the request form, the custodian receipt confirmation, and the coordinator return and follow-up tasks can be adjusted by describing the change in plain English or editing the steps directly in the workflow editor. Earlier versions of the workflow are kept, so changes can be reviewed or reverted if needed.

How is the custodian kept informed without needing to log in anywhere?

The custodian receives an emailed form listing the asset, its condition and included accessories, and confirms receipt directly from that email. This form response is saved to the asset loan record once submitted, and the custodian is not required to create an account at any point.

Can the coordinator follow-up task deadline be adjusted?

Yes, the 5-day due date on the coordinator's follow-up resolution task is a configurable step and can be changed by editing the workflow or describing the new timing in plain English. Adjustments like this apply going forward while the record's existing timeline and history remain intact.

What visibility do teams have into assets currently on loan or in follow-up?

Table views and dashboards display asset loan records grouped by status, such as Handover, On Loan, Follow-up or Returned, giving a live picture of where each asset stands. Each record also carries a reference number and a full timeline of what has happened, which supports oversight across multiple loans at once.

Does this workflow help with asset management compliance requirements?

The workflow records statuses, the values staff and custodians enter, and a timeline of actions for each asset loan, which can support internal reporting and record-keeping. Each business should confirm its own compliance and audit obligations against its specific policies and regulatory requirements.

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Asset Handover and Return Workflow | assess.one