Exit Strategy for Automations
Automations in Access Automate CRM now include an Exit Strategy - a setting that automatically removes contacts from a running automation when they no longer match the list criteria the automation was built around.
Exit Strategy is most effective for automations with stable, non-ephemeral criteria. However, it may not be suitable for all scenarios, such as those involving transient or date-based criteria.
How It Works
When a contact's status or data changes mid-workflow and they no longer meet the conditions of the automation's target list, the system detects this and removes them automatically. You don't need to manually review or clean up who is active in a workflow.
This feature is particularly effective for stable or permanent status changes, such as flags indicating 'candidate is active.' However, it may not be ideal for transient or date-based criteria, which can lead to premature exits.
Why This Matters
Your active automations always reflect the right, up-to-date audience.
Contacts who have moved on (e.g. placed, withdrawn, or status changed) won't continue receiving irrelevant messages.
Reduces manual housekeeping and the risk of contacting the wrong people.
Exit Strategy is most effective when used with stable criteria. For transient or date-based criteria, consider whether it aligns with your automation goals.
Example
Imagine you have an automation targeting active candidates in a specific pipeline stage. If a candidate is placed or withdraws, their status changes and they no longer match the criteria - the Exit Strategy removes them from the automation automatically, so they won't receive further messages in that flow.
For instance, in a date-based automation targeting participants 'within a few days' of a specific event, participants may exit prematurely if the date window is too narrow. In such cases, turning off Exit Strategy ensures they complete the automation.
Things to Know
Exit Strategy applies to active (turned-on) automations.
Contacts removed via Exit Strategy will not receive any remaining steps in the automation.
No action is needed from you - the system handles removal in the background.
Avoid using Exit Strategy for automations with transient or date-based criteria, as participants may exit prematurely.
For long-running sequences, consider turning off Exit Strategy to allow participants to complete the automation even if they no longer match the criteria.
đ¤ Tip: Need help setting up automations or list criteria? Contact your Customer Success Manager or reach out via Intercom Chat.
Additionally, test your automations with and without Exit Strategy to determine the best fit for your specific use case.