Effective contract management involves building a system that prevents contracts from stalling business operations, monitoring them to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and regulations, and meeting critical deadlines, like contract renewal.
This good practice framework defines the four blocks – structure and resources, delivery, development, and strategy – comprising 11 areas (Figure 1) that organisations should consider when planning and delivering contract management.
Six effective strategies for more effective contract management are to do a background check on the other party, determine a point of contact for both parties, establish the contract lifecycle, agree on the review processes, outline consequences of delays, and keep documentation of how the process went.
Contract management is the process of managing legally-binding agreements from initiation through to execution. Contract management activities include creation and negotiation, execution, compliance monitoring and renewal or close out.
Exploring the key stages of the contract management lifecycle Stage 1: Contract Initiation. Stage 2: Contract Creation and Negotiation. Stage 3: Contract Approval. Stage 4: Contract Execution. Stage 5: Contract Monitoring and Management. Stage 6: Contract Renewal or Termination.
Key elements include defining parties, specifying terms, addressing indemnification, termination, force majeure, and including signatures. For specific types of contracts, like independent contractor agreements or employment contracts, additional sections may be necessary.
A successful contract management process involves several key components, including contract creation, negotiation, execution, tracking, and analysis. Contract creation involves drafting clear, concise, and comprehensive contracts that accurately reflect the terms and conditions agreed upon by all parties.
Manages low to medium risk contracts and develops procurement and contract documentation. Actively monitors contract performance and risks, and identifies appropriate strategies to achieve contract outcomes. Consults with a range of stakeholders and maintains positive and effective working relationships.
Contract Overview. Briefly outline. Objectives. List objectives and desired outcomes here. Transitional arrangements and mobilisation. Briefly outline. Performance management. Briefly outline. Finance. Briefly outline. Governance arrangements. Communication with provider. Briefly outline. Communication with stakeholders.
How to implement contract management activities Step 1: Transition activities, if any. Step 2: Review the draft contract management plan. Step 3: Review the contract's budget. Step 4: Resources to support contract management. Step 5: Finalise and implement the contract management plan.