Why every technology strategy needs an exit plan

Most technology strategies spend a lot of time on adoption. Very few spend enough time on exit.

Whether it’s a cloud platform, a strategic vendor, a core system, or an AI model, every major technology decision creates some level of lock-in. That’s not inherently bad, but pretending it isn’t there usually is.

An exit plan doesn’t mean you expect to leave. It means you’ve thought clearly about:

• What would force a change?
• What would it cost – in time, money, and risk?
• Who actually understands how to unwind the decision?

In a market where commercial conditions, regulation and capability needs are shifting faster than most roadmaps, optionality matters.

We increasingly see technology strategies challenged not on ambition, but on reversibility.

The strongest strategies make the trade-offs explicit:

• Where are we comfortable being locked in?
• Where do we preserve flexibility, even at a short-term cost?
• What decisions today quietly limit tomorrow’s choices?

Exit planning isn’t pessimism. It’s a mature strategy.

In uncertain environments, the ability to change direction cleanly is often the real competitive advantage.

Further information

If you have any questions regarding this blog, please contact Christopher Perrin in our Corporate, Commercial & Finance team.

About the author

Christopher Perrin is a highly experienced solicitor who leads the Corporate, Commercial and Finance team’s general Commercial & Technology Contracts, Outsourcing & Data legal advisory services.