Session Abstract

Most Microsoft 365 environments do not become messy overnight. Sprawl usually builds slowly as teams, sites, groups, files, channels, guests, and apps are created without enough lifecycle planning. The result is a tenant that becomes harder to manage, harder to secure, and harder for users to navigate. Join Richard Harbridge, Microsoft MVP and trusted advisor on Microsoft 365 governance and adoption, for a practical session on Microsoft 365 lifecycle management. This 101-level session will explain how to think about the full lifecycle of Microsoft 365 workspaces and content, from creation and ownership to review, renewal, archiving, and retirement. Attendees will leave with a practical model for reducing clutter, improving accountability, and creating sustainable management patterns that scale with the organization. Attendees will learn: Why lifecycle management is essential to Microsoft 365 health How ownership, review, and retirement reduce long-term complexity Common lifecycle gaps across Teams, SharePoint, Groups, and OneDrive A simple framework for building lifecycle practices over time

Richard Harbridge

Richard Harbridge is a Principal Industry Advisor on Microsoft 365 and ShareGate as well as a long-standing Microsoft MVP. Renowned for simplifying the complex, Richard equips IT, executives, and business leaders with three essentials: clarity about Microsoft 365’s evolving capabilities, confidence in responsibly implementing and governing new technologies, and the connections that amplify success across partners, customer communities and Microsoft itself. Over the past decades he has: • Advised 200+ enterprises on Microsoft 365 strategy, AI governance and employee experience. • Delivered 450 + keynotes, workshops and conference sessions across five continents. • Empowered millions of employees with simpler, more secure Microsoft 365 experiences, while helping partners unlock $300+ million in new revenue. • Leads CIO think tanks and employee-experience forums while serving on research and community leadership councils shaping the future of work. Whether architecting AI rollouts, moderating executive roundtables, or writing practical frameworks, Richard’s focus is unwavering: turn technology potential into lasting business impact.