Introduction

This intensive training program on Advanced Techniques in Strategic Contract Management equips participants with a comprehensive understanding and sophisticated skills to manage contracts effectively within dynamic business environments. It covers complex aspects of contract management crucial for reducing risks and enhancing value within organizations. Contract mishaps can lead to significant disruptions and costs.

Course Objectives

• Broaden understanding of intricate contract management concepts, processes, and best practices
• Enhance management tactics to deliver contracts effectively and efficiently
• Aim for measurable value delivery in every contract
• Identify and address risks in contracts and their business implications
• Understand various contract types and choose appropriate contracting strategies
• Learn principles of stakeholder management and select suitable techniques for effective relationship management
• Conduct pre-contract activities such as accurate requirement assessments, tendering, tender evaluations, and supplier selection
• Develop practical skills applicable to all contract phases and understand key tasks across the contract lifecycle
• Implement expert tips in negotiation, procurement, and contract management
• Utilize basic project management tools for planning, scheduling, and budgeting to set effective contract foundations
• Create robust contract management documentation that withstands rigorous audits
• Formulate strategies for efficient project execution and oversight
• Manage contract issues leading to disputes, performance issues, plan deviations, and possible early terminations
• Implement immediate actions to enhance contract value

Target Audience

• Professionals from various industries aiming to refine their contract management capabilities
• Individuals at all organizational levels involved with vendors and contractors, focusing on maximizing contractual value
• Members of project teams, planning departments, improvement groups, contracting units, internal audit, and those involved in risk or contract strategy

Course Outline

Day 1

• Overview and Core Concepts

• Introduction to contract management
• Understanding the essence and purpose of contracts
• Principal theories and issues in contract management
• Overview of projects, programs, and initiatives
• Lifecycle of a project

• The Importance of Stakeholder Management in Contract Success

• Identifying key stakeholders and planning their management
• Strategies for effective stakeholder engagement
• Analyzing business needs and defining project requirements

Day 2

• Advanced Procurement Planning

• Understanding contracts and their formation
• Developing a corporate procurement strategy
• Approaches to contract delivery

• Pre-contract Essentials

• The procurement and contract management cycle: pre, during, and post-contract
• Pre-tender activities
• Formulating acquisition strategies and detailed specifications
• Contract pricing models
• The tender process, necessary documentation, evaluation planning and methods
• Supplier selection strategies and evaluation criteria
• Contract structuring

Day 3

• Contract Negotiation and Transition

• Preparation for negotiation: objectives, context, and tactics
• Negotiation styles and assessing negotiation leverage
• Negotiation procedures and interest-based bargaining techniques
• Handling unexpected negotiation challenges
• Negotiator tactics and transition strategies

• Focused Risk Management in Contracts

• Definitions and processes in contract risk management
• Innovative approaches to risk mitigation

Day 4

• Planning for Contract Execution: Establishing the Baseline

• Defining project scope and ensuring requirement traceability
• Utilizing the Critical Path Method for managing timelines
• Budget management and contingency planning
• Risk identification and mitigation strategies

• Effective Monitoring of Contracts

• Key techniques for monitoring and controlling contract performance
• Refining project specifications and handling variations
• Applying Earned Value Management
• Managing payments and linking them to performance metrics

Day 5

• Optimizing Value and Control in Contracts

• Managing project scope creep and delays
• Resolving issues and disputes
• Addressing underperformance and non-compliance

• Concluding Contracts

• Decisions on contract termination, extension, or renewal
• Completing projects: inspections, handovers, and acceptance
• Gathering lessons learned
• Reviewing contract performance and realizing benefits