The Learn phase of an assessment focuses on learning about existing team members, vendors, customers, processes related to contract management. During this phase we identify key areas needed for improvement and define goals for both the program as a whole and individuals to meet performance objectives. This step includes existing contracts review, process mapping, existing and potential tool identification, and reconciliation of stakeholder goals.

The Investigation phase of an assessment is designed to take a deep dive into existing contract-related processes to assess company risk and compliance. During this phase, we analyze individual contracts to identify areas for potential improvement and interview key stakeholders such as the legal and finance teams to gain an understanding of how multiple teams make use of and are impacted by contracts and how existing processes could be improved to accommodate team needs.

The Share phase of an assessment aims to revisit with the contracts team to share discoveries, explain findings, and discuss next steps. A key goal of this phase is to confirm the team’s vision and objectives related to contracts management and the steps needed to achieve these. During this phase we work across the stakeholder team to ensure all parties are informed, have the opportunity to provide input, and buy-in to proposed solutions.

During the Develop phase, we identify a path to meet internal team goals/objectives, improve vendor performance, and negotiate favorable terms and conditions. The goal of this phase is to provide a customized road map that identifies the direction, needs, and actions necessary to make contract management effective. This might include everything from staffing additional internal or external resources to implementing new tools and processes to streamline workflows.

The Focus phase is all about narrowing down possibilities and concentrating on the most important activities for improvement based on the assessment. Depending on the client and the state of current contract management practices, teams might need to focus on one, several, or all of the contract lifecycle phases. The key outcome of this phase is agreement and buy-in across the organization regarding the activities that are of highest priority.

The Guide phase aims to provide the client team with the tools each stakeholder needs to improve contract management processes and align outputs with goals. This includes everything from providing examples of best practice contract language to teaching better negotiation tactics and contract tool usage. The primary outcome of this phase is a team that is better prepared to bring contract management to the next level and meet the identified goals for contracts across the organization.

A key aspect of executing on identified contract management goals is to ensure the contract management team itself is ready, willing, and able to meet current and future demands. One option to meet this goal is to utilize Client Employees—CBC will recruit and source qualified individuals with the industry and contract experience to match your organization. This option is best for when a contracts team needs long-term support to increase capacity and throughput.

A second option to bolster contract management capabilities is to utilize onsite consultants to augment existing teams for a specified period of time. We will provide local on-the-ground support with experienced contracts professionals who can both support day-to-day activities and help improve overall contracts management processes. This option is best for when a team needs immediate help but doesn’t have the headcount or long-term requirement for true in-house resources. 

A third option is to leverage off-site consultants to help with contract management resource shortfalls on a short- or long-term basis. We will provide remote support, assisting your teams and stakeholders with contract guidance and execution with flexible timeframes. This option is best suited to teams with changing resource needs and limited budgets who need to find a combination of contracts management expertise, flexibility, and cost. 

We just added a new option to provide contract management support to clients on an as-needed hourly basis. Our contracts professionals will be at your disposal on your schedule to assist with your growing and changing needs. Whether remote or on-site, if you are looking for one or more skilled contracts professionals to step in and review contract redlines or support an in-person negotiation, we’re here to help.