My way to Stop assumptions from destroying your IT business

You might think, “I thought they knew” is a harmless oversight, but in the IT industry, it’s a crack that can sink your whole ship.

Let me break down why this happens and how you can protect yourself with clearer, smarter contracts.

Why Assumptions Kill IT Projects

Let’s say you’re running an IT agency or a SaaS platform, and you’ve landed a solid project - maybe you’re building a custom app for a client or integrating a payment system for a fintech startup.

You pour your heart into it, deliver a top-notch product, and everything’s humming along. But the catch is, that your app relies on a third-party tool for a key feature, like an API for real-time data or a payment gateway.

You figure the client knows this tool isn’t perfect - after all, it’s not your code, so any issues with it aren’t on you.

Except, when that tool breaks, the whole project grinds to a halt, and suddenly the client’s pointing fingers at you, demanding fixes and threatening to pull the plug.

The client’s upset, your team’s stuck troubleshooting something you don’t control, and your margins are shrinking as you burn hours on work you didn’t sign up for.

Why does this happen? Because you assumed the client understood the setup, and you didn’t spell it out in the contract. In IT, vague language is a recipe for trouble.

No matter how obvious something feels to you - whether it’s a tool’s limitations or who handles what - your client isn’t inside your head.

If it’s not written down, it’s not real, and you’re the one who’ll pay the price when things go wrong.

The fallout from these assumptions is costly. You could get blamed for failures that aren’t yours, lose time doing free support, or watch your profits erode as you fix issues that were never your responsibility.

But you don’t have to let it get to that point. With a few smart tweaks to your contracts, you can eliminate those cracks and keep your projects on track.

Three Contract Fixes to Kill Assumptions for Good

To make sure assumptions don’t sabotage your IT or SaaS business, you need to anchor every project in clarity.

These 3 steps are tailored to help you avoid surprises, keep clients happy, and protect your bottom line.

I’ll walk you through each one and explain why it’s a must for your success.

1. Name Every Dependency Upfront

Add a clause like this to your contract:  

“This project relies on [Software X] for automation features. You acknowledge that this tool is not owned or maintained by us.”

This is your first line of defense against misunderstandings. By explicitly listing every third-party tool, API, or service your project depends on, you’re making it impossible for the client to say, “I didn’t know.”

This matters because clients often assume you’re responsible for everything in the project, even parts you don’t control.

If that tool glitches or goes offline, they’ll look to you for answers - unless you’ve clearly stated it’s not your domain.

Naming dependencies upfront saves you from being the scapegoat and keeps the focus on what you actually deliver, so you can avoid wasting time on someone else’s problem.

2. Draw Clear Lines on Who Fixes What

Include a line like:  

“We provide integration support only. You must contact [Software X] directly for any technical issues with their tool.”

This clause is a lifesaver for your team’s sanity. Let’s say a third-party API starts throwing errors, and your client expects you to drop everything and fix it.

Without this boundary, you’re stuck in a cycle of unpaid troubleshooting, pulling developers away from billable work.

By making it clear that you handle the integration - not the tool itself - you’re setting expectations early and giving the client a direct path to the right support.

This keeps your project on schedule, protects your margins, and prevents resentment from building when clients lean on you for things outside your scope.

3. Spell Out Costs and Access Details

Make sure your contract covers:  

“You are responsible for purchasing and maintaining licenses for [Software X]. If the tool becomes unavailable, we’ll work with you to find alternatives at an additional cost.”

This one’s about covering all the bases. Who’s paying for the third-party tool? Who’s keeping it updated? What happens if it shuts down for good?

If you leave these questions to emails or casual chats, you’re inviting confusion later.

By putting the answers in the contract, you’re ensuring everyone knows their role - whether it’s budgeting for licenses or planning for a worst-case scenario.

This is especially critical in IT and FinTech, where downtime or tool failures can ripple out to your clients’ customers.

Clarity here means you’re not stuck eating unexpected costs or scrambling to fix a problem you didn’t cause.

Your Quick Checklist to Assumption-Proof Your Contracts

Here’s a simple rundown to make sure your contracts are rock-solid:  

• List every dependency: Name third-party tools clearly so there’s no confusion.  

• Set responsibility boundaries: Clarify who handles issues with external services.  

• Cover costs and access: Define who pays for licenses and what happens if tools fail.

Clarity Is Your Edge in IT and SaaS

A contract that leaves room for “I thought they knew” could cost you dearly, whether it’s hours spent fixing someone else’s mess or a client walking away because you didn’t deliver on an unspoken expectation.

But with clear, detailed terms, you’re turning those risks into strengths, showing clients you’re a pro who’s got everything covered.

Think about it like the consistency you’ve been pouring into your business - showing up day after day, even when it’s tough.

That’s what’s gotten you this far, whether it’s landing new deals or getting noticed in the IT and fintech space. Now, apply that same discipline to your contracts.

Don’t assume everyone’s on the same page - write it down, name it all, and protect your work like you protect your reputation.

That’s how you build projects that run smoothly, teams that stay sane, and a business that keeps growing.

So, next time you’re drafting a contract, take a moment to remove those assumptions before they can take root.

Spell out the dependencies, set the boundaries, and cover the details.

It’s a small step that could save you from a world of stress - and set you up for the kind of success that comes from getting it right the first time.