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Mastering IT Contract Management 2025 Series

For any IT agreement, whether for software-as-a-service, managed IT services, or a software implementation project, contract signing is just the beginning. Maintaining a successful relationship between the customer and the service provider depends on how the IT agreement is managed throughout its lifecycle.

Mastering IT Contract Management: A Five-Part Series outlines how organizations can ensure they realize the value anticipated from their IT agreements—and avoid the many pitfalls along the way.

About McCarthy Tétrault’s Technology Group:

McCarthy’s Technology Group has extensive regional and national experience advising and representing both customers and service providers in the IT space. Visit our Technology Group page and contact us with any questions or for assistance.

Part 1: Setting Up Appropriate Contract Management Processes

IT contract management involves overseeing the ongoing relationship between the parties and administering the agreement’s terms, including deadlines, deliverables, responsibilities, and reporting obligations. Its purpose is to ensure each party complies with its obligations while minimizing risks and maximizing long-term value.

Part 2: Structing Effective Governance Processes

Whereas contract management, as discussed in Part 1: Setting Up Appropriate Contract Management Processes, relates to the overall management of the relationship between the parties to an IT agreement, the governance process describes specifically who will oversee the agreement, how decisions will be made, how performance will be monitored, and how issues will be reported and escalated. The governance process is the operational backbone of any successful IT agreement—but is sometimes poorly implemented and fails due to avoidable structural or communication flaws.

Part 3: Establishing Forward-Looking Change Processes

Almost inevitably, over the course of an IT agreement, business needs will evolve, technology shifts will occur, and unforeseen challenges will arise. As a result, a well-designed change process is critical to ensuring an IT agreement remains workable and relevant over time.

Part 4: Preparing for Smooth Renewal, Expiration and Termination

IT agreement renewals and terminations are often treated as administrative tasks—but mishandling them can lock parties into outdated agreements, trigger unnecessary fees, or create service disruptions.