<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.24

                        SECURED RECOURSE PROMISSORY NOTE


$1,000,000                                                     February 24, 2000




     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Theo
Schnitfink ("Maker") hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the order of
Cambridge Technology Partners (Massachusetts), Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), having an address at 8 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, at
such address or at such other place as may be designated in writing by the
holder of this Note, or its assigns, the principal sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS
($1,000,000) on the earlier to occur of February 24, 2002, or (ii) ninety (90)
days after the date on which the Maker's employment with the Company terminates
for any reason (the "Maturity Date"). The undersigned also agrees to pay
interest at said office in like money at a fixed rate per annum equal to Prime
Rate established by Chase Manhattan Bank plus one percent (Prime Rate + 1%)
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year) from the date hereof on the unpaid
principal amount hereof, said interest payable on the Maturity Date. Optional
prepayments, and mandatory prepayments pursuant to the third paragraph hereof,
received by the Company on or prior to the Maturity Date shall be applied first
to the payment of interest accrued and unpaid on this Note, and second to reduce
the principal balance hereunder.

     Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in that certain Pledge Agreement between Maker and the
Company dated as of even date herewith (the "Pledge Agreement").

     Maker agrees to make mandatory prepayments as follows: an amount equal to
one hundred percent (100%) of all after-tax net proceeds received by Maker or
members of Maker's family, heirs, executors or legal representatives or trusts
for the benefit of Maker or Maker's family (a "Related Transferee"), from any
transfer by Maker or any Related Transferee of any or all interests in the
Collateral and cash dividends or other cash distributions arising from the
Collateral, whether payable upon the liquidation or dissolution of the Company
or otherwise upon receipt thereof by Maker or any Related Transferee, as the
case may be.

     Maker may prepay this Note in whole or from time to time in part without
premium or penalty.

     Maker agrees that:

               (i) upon the failure to pay when due the principal balance
          hereunder and accrued interest thereon or any required prepayment of
          this Note;

               (ii) if Maker or any Related Transferee which holds any of the
          Collateral; (1) commences any voluntary proceeding under any provision
          of Title 11 of the United States Code, as now or hereafter amended, or
          commences any other proceeding, under any law, now or hereinafter in
          force, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
          liquidation, or otherwise
<PAGE>

                                      -2-

          to the relief of debtors or the readjustment of indebtedness; (2)
          makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or a composition or
          similar arrangement with such creditors; or (3) appoints a receiver,
          trustee or similar judicial officer or agent to take charge of or
          liquidate any of its property or assets; or

               (iii) upon the commencement against Maker or any Related
          Transferee which holds any of the Collateral of any involuntary
          proceeding of the kind described in paragraph (ii);

          all unpaid principal and accrued interest under this Note shall become
          immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or
          notice of any kind.

     This Note is binding on Maker and Maker hereby waives presentment, demand,
notice and protest and any defense by reason of an extension of time for payment
or other indulgences. Failure of the holder hereof to assert any right herein
shall not be deemed to be a waiver thereof.

     Maker may not set off from any amounts due under this Note any amounts due
Maker from the Company or its transferees.

     The Obligations of Maker under this Note are secured by the pledge of the
Collateral to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement.
The Maker shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or
other disposition of Collateral are insufficient to pay the Obligations and any
fees and disbursement of any attorneys employed by the Company to collect such
deficiency.

     This Note shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving
effect to principles of conflict of law thereof.



                                    ------------------------------
                                    Theo Schnitfink