Almost every IT department utilizes some form of outsourcing for help desk support, data center operations, Web hosting, application development, or a number of other functions. Protect the continuity of your business and operations with a contract disengagement plan in case the third-party provider relationship goes sour or in the event the contract expires.

The Issue

IT contracts often do not sufficiently deal with how, if the contract expires or is terminated, you (the customer) will transition to a replacement service provider or disengage from a project or service relationship. Without a disengagement plan in place, when an IT contract is terminated, you could be in the undesirable position of having to negotiate disengagement arrangements with a service provider after the relationship has already crumbled.

Action Plan

Use the following points to develop your disengagement plan....