Every new feature, no matter how small, changes the deal

In the IT world, I’ve seen the same trap catch companies over and over again.

It starts innocently. A client asks for a small tweak. A quick adjustment. A “tiny” feature add-on that supposedly won’t take much time or effort.

You hear things like:

“It’s just a quick change.”

“It won’t take more than an hour.”

“It’s just for this one client.”

It feels easier to say yes, get it done, and move on. No one discusses contracts. No one revisits pricing. And it certainly doesn’t feel worth calling in the legal team.

But that “tiny” change can create ripple effects you didn’t anticipate.

When Small Changes Create Big Liability

That small request might shift your legal obligations without you even realizing it.

It could expand your liability in ways your current agreement doesn’t cover. It might trigger entirely new compliance requirements, especially if it touches sensitive data or regulated processes.

And the moment your service changes but your contract stays the same, you step into a legal grey zone. In this space:

• The client might expect far more than you originally promised.

• Your internal teams may now have to support something that was never scoped.

• A regulator, or worse, a lawyer, could argue you are responsible for risks you never priced in.

All of this can happen simply because the change seemed “too small to matter.”

Why IT Companies Are Especially Vulnerable

For managed service providers, custom development firms, and SaaS vendors with enterprise clients, even small product tweaks can have huge consequences.

Unlike casual consumer software, enterprise setups are tied to strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs), security commitments, and sometimes even industry-specific compliance standards.

A new API integration, a small automation feature, or an extra data collection field can completely change your obligations.

And if your paperwork doesn’t reflect those changes? You’re carrying risks your client will never take responsibility for.

My Way to Stop Small Changes from Becoming Big Problems

Here’s how you can protect your company every single time a request, no matter how small, comes in:

1. Always Amend the Agreement

If the scope changes, even slightly, create an addendum. It doesn’t have to be complex. It just needs to clearly outline what’s new and who’s responsible.

2. Update Pricing and SLAs

If a new feature requires extra development, support, or uptime guarantees, the pricing and timelines should reflect that. Small freebies often become ongoing drains on resources.

3. Run a Compliance Check

Ask yourself: Will this touch sensitive data? Does it increase exposure to regulated activities? Could it introduce new vulnerabilities? If yes, address them before going live.

4. Document Internally

Make sure your dev, support, and legal teams are aware of what’s been added. Misalignment here can lead to overdelivery, missed obligations, or inconsistent communication with clients.

TL;DR

In IT, no change is ever “too small” from a legal and operational perspective.

Even a quick add-on can alter your contractual obligations, expand liability, and trigger new compliance requirements.

Always update agreements, pricing, and internal documentation to reflect changes, no matter how minor they seem.

Small Changes Don’t Stay Small

They either grow into bigger commitments that drain time and resources or quietly shift your responsibilities in ways that only surface when something goes wrong.

If your product or service changes, your paperwork should change too. That simple habit can save you from costly disputes, compliance headaches, and avoidable financial loss down the road.