English articles

Here you can learn about pitfalls and challenges in contracting - and how WorldCC recommends avoiding them.

Although contract management is a relatively new discipline in Denmark, the need for contract management is steadily increasing – and so is the demand for the right professionels. With an international certification from NSCCM, you stand out qualitatively when recruiters study applicants.

In September 2024, WorldCC published its latest report: The Purpose of Contracts: How Clarity of Purpose is Required to Measure Contract Quality and Effectiveness.

One of the most essential elements in working with contract management is understanding the basic processes of the contract. At NSSCM, we operate with 'the 5 phases' of contract management, as defined by WorldCC

WorldCC's latest studies on "Most Negotiated Terms", have the very thoughtful conclusion that there is a lack of coherence between the topics most often negotiated and the topics that are most value-creating or most disputed. This raises the question: What should you spend the most time on? See NSCCM's list of topics to prioritize.

In the previous newsletter, we wrote about how important it is that organizations can attract and retain skilled contract managers. In that context, we made a questionnaire survey, and the topic was also taken up in our network, NSCCM Professionals. In the Network, we had a visit from Lars Kjærulf, Director at Randstad Inhouse Services, specializing in recruitment and retention.

In many organizations, there is uncertainty about the purpose of contract management.

This uncertainty can lead to different approaches to processes, roles, and responsibilities - for example, whether contract management starts already in the tendering phase, or only in the phase after the contract has been signed?

Below, you can read more about these considerations and why it is a mistake to perceive contract management as a narrow, compliance-driven discipline that primarily takes place after the contract is signed.

Contract management must focus on aligning with the user’s business objectives while maintaining the traditional emphasis on efficiency and compliance. Achieving this requires collaboration throughout the entire contract lifecycle and an understanding that managing the contract as an object and managing the business through contracts is not the same—but they must work hand in hand!

In 2019 WorldCC issued their Contracting Principles. One is about force majeure clauses, and it contains an important list of topics that should be taken into consideration when drafting force majeure clauses.

When organizations focus on improving their contract management, it is important to have goals and direction for the work. This should not be done solely for the contract management function's own sake, but also for others in the organization and their understanding of these goals. Therefore, it is important to prepare a vision, mission, and strategy for the work.

But what exactly is a vision, mission, and strategy? And what can it look like for contract management?

Contract management is an interdisciplinary field that requires both professional, social and communicative skills.

When securely managing a contract towards its goal, it's crucial to use the right tools along the way.

Today, both private and public companies are under pressure to realize economic goals and increase efficiency. This development places higher demands on the organizations’ handling of contracts.