---
title: "Switching agencies in a running maintenance project"
description: "The structured path to a new technical partner — without interrupting shop operations. With a five-phase model, asset inventory and a checklist of concrete action items."
canonical_url: "https://nuonic.de/en/whitepapers/agency-switch-maintenance-project"
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
---

A running online shop is not a project with a defined end but an operation — which is exactly why the hurdle of switching the agency that runs it feels so high. In practice the switch is therefore postponed longer than economically sensible: the worry about knowledge loss, downtime and chaos around access credentials is justified when the switch happens unstructured — and largely unfounded when it is planned as an orderly process with clear responsibilities.

This whitepaper describes the switch of an existing maintenance and development partnership as a structured process in five phases — from the decision to stable regular operations, without interrupting the shop.

## What's inside

- **Typical triggers:** six warning signs — from response times through knowledge monopolies and cost development to technical standstill — and the recommendation to document them in writing for two to three months before deciding.
- **Preparation:** contract situation, ownership and usage rights, data protection and compliance — what must be clarified before giving notice.
- **The asset inventory:** eight categories from source code through hosting, domains and licences to monitoring — with the central questions per position. The rule of thumb: every asset whose owner you cannot name within one working day is a risk — regardless of the switch.
- **The switching process in five phases:** decision and selection (2–6 weeks), preparation and notice (2–4 weeks), handover (1–3 weeks), onboarding of the new agency and stabilisation — a gliding transition instead of a big bang.
- **A checklist of concrete action items** for the entire handover.
- **A practical example:** an onboarding along the F.O.C.U.S. framework — from Facts to Scaling.
- **Why our onboarding costs €0:** the logic behind it — the familiarisation risk sits with the agency that wins the contract, not with the shop owner who dares to take the step.

## Who the whitepaper is for

For managing directors, e-commerce and IT leads of mid-sized shop operators who are dissatisfied with their current agency — or who simply want to know how switchable their shop is today. The asset inventory pays off even if you end up staying with your agency.

## Key facts

12 pages, as of September 2026 (PDF in German). The stated timeframes are guide values for a mid-sized shop; the phases partially overlap. Important upfront: an agency switch is not about assigning blame — a professionally handled switch is in the interest of everyone involved, including the outgoing agency. How the switch to us works concretely is covered on our [agency switch page](/en/shopware-agency/switch).