IT Asset Lifecycle Leakage Playbook

Run the reclaim sprint: flag → recover/retire → adjust billing counts → prevent recurrence.

Run the OperationCorePlaybook45 minProcurement and Ops, Finance

Stop IT leakage from unused devices, lingering leases/support contracts, and broken offboarding with a practical reclaim sprint.

Primary outcomes:

  • Cost reduction: remove “paid but unused” hardware/support and reduce refresh waste
  • Risk mitigation: reduce lost devices and access gaps during offboarding
  • Carbon impact (optional): better lifecycle discipline can reduce waste, but cost/risk comes first

Top IT leakage patterns

  1. devices assigned to former employees (not returned)
  2. “spare” devices counted as “active” and billed in support programs
  3. leases not ended or assets not returned at term end
  4. warranties/support renewed without updated asset counts
  5. shipping/handling and “misc fees” with no documentation
  6. MSP project charges without approved SOW/PO

30/60/90 reclaim sprint

Days 1–30: Build the reclaim list

  • export your asset inventory
  • flag assets with no recent user activity / no owner
  • identify support contracts billed by count
  • build a reclaim backlog and owner assignments

Days 31–60: Execute reclaim + stop billing

  • run return/wipe/disposal workflow
  • update billing counts with vendors
  • dispute any unsupported charges
  • document process gaps

Days 61–90: Lock controls

  • implement monthly invoice QA against inventory
  • implement quarterly reclaim cadence
  • add renewal discipline for support contracts

Templates (copy/paste)

1) IT Reclaim Backlog

Asset IDTypeCurrent statusLast seen/useAssigned toAction (recover/retire/transfer)OwnerDue dateNotes

2) Support Count Reconciliation

VendorContractBilled countInventory countDeltaExpected billing changeOwnerEvidence

3) Dispute checklist (IT support charges)

Copyable template (TEXT)

IT Support Charge Dispute Checklist

- invoice line item reference
- contract pricing schedule reference
- inventory count evidence
- requested resolution (credit + updated billing count)
- effective date for correction

  • IT Hardware + Managed Services Controls Kit ()
  • Device Inventory Reclaim Savings Calculator ()
  • Renewal Control Copy Pack ()
  • Invoice Integrity Copy Pack ()
  • Disputes + Credit Recovery System ()
  • Invoice and Change Order Leakage System ()

Definition of Done

  • reclaim backlog is executed and billing counts update
  • offboarding prevents asset leakage and access risk
  • monthly invoice QA against inventory becomes routine

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release