Your contract isn’t ready for disruptions

When you hear “Force Majeure,” what comes to mind? Hurricanes? Floods? Earthquakes?

For most business owners, that’s where their thoughts stop. But here’s the truth: physical disruptions like natural disasters? They’re rare

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The real threats to your digital projects? Cyberattacks, internet outages, pandemics. Let me tell you a story that drives this home.

The Ransomware Reality

A tech agency I knew once signed a high-stakes software development contract. The client was big, the timeline was tight but manageable.

For the first few weeks, everything was running smoothly. Then disaster struck. Their servers were hit by a ransomware attack.

The backups were safe, thankfully, but the recovery process? It took weeks. And as the clock ticked, the deadline came and went.

That’s when the client stepped in, demanding compensation for the delay. The agency pushed back. “This wasn’t our fault,” they said.

The client? “Doesn’t matter. It wasn’t in the contract.” No force majeure clause. No protection. The agency lost the client - and a substantial payout.

Digital Work Isn’t Immune

Even if you’re working in the digital world, you’re not safe from disruptions beyond your control.

• Cyberattacks can cripple your systems.

• Internet outages can halt your progress.

• Vendor delays or failures can derail your timeline.

And yes, even global events like pandemics or supply chain breakdowns can wreak havoc.

If your contracts don’t address these possibilities, you’re leaving yourself exposed.

The Fix: A Force Majeure Clause Built for Digital Projects

Here’s how I suggest you protect yourself and your work:

1. Tailor the Clause for Digital Risks

Mention the kinds of events that could realistically affect your project: cyberattacks, server failures, vendor issues, or global disruptions like pandemics.

Be specific. General clauses won’t cut it when the unexpected hits.

2. Define the Impact Clearly

What happens if a force majeure event occurs? Does it pause the timeline? Relieve you of certain obligations?

Spell it out so there’s no room for ambiguity.

3. Establish a Process

Decide how both parties will communicate during a disruption. Include a timeline for notifying each other and a method for resolving disputes.

Why This Matters

With a solid force majeure clause, you’re not just protecting your business - you’re building trust.

You’re showing your clients that you’ve thought about the worst-case scenarios and prepared to handle them fairly.

So when the unexpected happens, there’s no blame game. No panic. No broken relationships.

Both you and your client will know exactly what to expect - and how to move forward.

The Lesson

Digital projects may not face hurricanes, but they’re far from disaster-proof.

If your contracts don’t account for force majeure, you’re one ransomware attack or vendor failure away from chaos.

Be proactive. Tailor your contracts. Protect your work. Because in a world of unpredictable risks, preparation isn’t just smart - it’s essential.