For Project Teams
 

Warning: Not sunsetting, or an agreed upon path to sunsetting, a legacy and quasi-duplicative tool with the new CRM is the penultimate kiss of death.

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I cannot stress enough the importance of sunsetting older technology that is no longer needed - even technology that is still usable, but duplicative, needs to go! The dangers of not doing so are numerous and can have disastrous consequences. Despite the allure of shiny new technology with better capabilities, many organizations fall into the trap of not letting go of their older systems. This can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and operational inefficiencies that can significantly impact the bottom line.

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First and foremost, having both older and newer technology operating simultaneously can cause a great deal of confusion for users. It's essential to note that people are creatures of habit and often resist change. Keeping the older system around can encourage people to stick to what they know and not take full advantage of the newer, better technology. This can lead to decreased productivity and user frustration, which can have a ripple effect throughout the organization.

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Another danger is that maintaining both systems requires additional resources and expenses. Paying for both the old and new technology can be costly and can hinder an organization's ability to invest in more modern systems that would benefit its operational efficiency. One must also remember that maintaining outdated technology also comes with its challenges, such as security breaches, obsolete hardware, and software maintenance costs, all of which can compound over time.

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Additionally, having two systems operating at once can hinder best practice adherence. In today's highly competitive business landscape, staying ahead of the curve requires a strict commitment to best practices and adopting the latest technologies. Keeping an older system around can put an organization at a significant disadvantage as it can impede the integration of the newer system's best practices. This can result in higher costs, slower adoption, inefficiencies, and decreased productivity.

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Another significant issue of not sunsetting older technology is becoming stuck in legacy systems. An organization that resists the adoption of newer technology can become trapped in an endless cycle of maintaining outdated systems. The longer this goes on, the harder it becomes to break free, as there is always a fear of disrupting the status quo and the potential for unintended consequences.

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The dangers of not sunsetting older technology despite having newer, better technology that can replace it and comes with enhanced capabilities are significant. Operating both systems simultaneously will create confusion, impede best practice adherence, and increase expenses, among other negative consequences. Staying ahead of the curve requires organizations to adopt best practices and stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends. To do so, it's essential to sunset outdated systems and invest in the latest technologies that support organizational goals and objectives. Due diligence is crucial in this regard, and organizations must weigh the risks and costs of maintaining older systems against the benefits of adopting newer technologies.

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