Contract Management Course

Human Resources. Learn expert people management skills.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses online and in-person. Please check the delivery format of each class before enrolling.

Please note that course materials (excluding prescribed texts) are shared electronically within 48 hours of course commencement. Printing is not available.

In this contract management course, you will gain the concepts, skills and knowledge required to manage the implementation, management, monitoring and closing of contracts. You will gain an understanding of the contract lifecycle and explore how to establish effective contracts, manage the contract relationship, monitor performance and deal with underperformance so that your organisation acquires services or products at a fair price with agreed quality.

Aims

This course aims to provide you an overview of the contract management lifecycle, enabling you to confidently manage this process on behalf of your organisation.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• describe the fundamental concepts underpinning contract management
• explain the contract lifecycle
• identify and manage contract risk
• identify contract requirements and select the appropriate contractor or supplier
• monitor and review contract performance
• resolve conflict
• manage contract variations.

Content

Contract management

• The purpose, advantages and disadvantages of contracting
• Contract challenges
• Contract management lifecycle

Establishing contract requirements

• Identify requirements
• Contract risk assessment
• Contract management plan

The contract

• Valid contracts
• Statement of work
• Contract inclusions
• Selecting the right contractor

Negotiation

• Negotiating the terms of the contract
• Conducting the negotiation
• Executing the contract

Contract management

• Initiating the contract
• Managing the relationship
• Managing performance

Contract variations

• Variation process
• Resolving disputes

Contract close

• What’s required to close a contract
• Lessons learned
• Reporting requirements

Intended audience

Designed for anyone who is interested in the contract management lifecycle and in particular those employees who will be engaged in the process of identifying contract requirements, selecting appropriate contractors and managing the contract process. People working in the following roles would find the program beneficial:

• Contract administrators
• Team leaders in a procurement/purchasing environment
• Contract managers
• Project team members
• Administrators of purchasing and procurement activities
• Managers and supervisors who manage contractors

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

The Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) states that one of the most valuable resources in adult education is the learner themselves. This course has been designed to actively involve the learner throughout the day. It includes:

• interactive presentations
• group work and discussion
• structured contract management activities
• contract based case studies.

Delivery options:

• face-to-face workshop delivered on University premises
• online workshop via the platform Zoom.

Recommended reading

Carter, R., Oxenbury, A. & Kirby, S. 2012, Practical Contract Management, Cambridge Academic, Cambridge.

Hartley, S. 2018, Project Management 4ed: A Practical Guide to Planning and Managing Projects, Pearson, Australia.

McCarthy, P. 1989, Developing Negotiation Skills and Behaviour, CCH, Australia.

Ward, D. 2011, Contract Negotiation Handbook: Getting the most of commercial deals, Wrightbooks, Australia.