Unleash the power of outsourcing with this hard-hitting, concise resource for contract management. In today's highly specialized business world, many organizations are outsourcing to strategic partners in an effort to cut costs while maintaining good customer relations. Because their reputation is on the line, these companies must carefully manage partnership agreements, e-procurement solutions, and integrated supply chains to meet the exacting expectations of customers. A strong contract management program is paramount to companies that outsource, paving the way to stronger and more efficient business relationships that enhance, rather than reduce, the bottom line. World-Class Contracting can help you gain a thorough understanding of the contracting process. Whether you are buying or selling contracts, this book will prove an invaluable desktop resource. This new, Sixth Edition is fully updated to reflect recent changes in laws, regulations, and business practices. In addition to significant revisions to existing material, the text contains two entirely new chapters on unauthorized commitments and constructive changes, and creating a world class contracting organization.

[This outsourcing] guide [is] supplemented with numerous process diagrams, best practices, sample forms, tools, and techniques that the practitioner will find relevant and valuable.... Companies and organizations worldwide have stepped up their contracting for goods and services with the intent of focusing more on their core business and allowing suppliers and vendors to do the other work. The marketplace is booming, and only those with a solid understanding of contract management will achieve ultimate success. -Back cover. Because contract management is first and foremost about building and maintaining successful business relationships, readers of [this book] will learn how to build such relationships by using proven contract management processes, tools, techniques, and documented best practices in contract management for both buyers and sellers. The book was written for business professionals involved in buying or selling products and services. This includes sales managers, contract managers, purchasing managers, financial managers, proposal managers, engineers, lawyers, project managers, mid-level business managers, executives, and other business professionals.... -Introd.

This book is intended to give an overview of the highly critical skill of purchasing contract management (or what sales professionals would call 'sales contract management'). Purchasing professionals are consistently plagued by inadequate knowledge of purchasing contract law, which becomes a capability gap and therefore a career liability. The goal of this book is to address this problem and turn this liability to an area of strength and competitive advantage for purchasing professionals. This book is intended to be a timeless reference guide, and is written for the practitioner - the person who wants concrete and actionable direction to do their job better and get their career on the fast track. The importance and purpose of contracts is covered, followed by how to customize purchasing contracts to fit the purchase, and then a detailed (116 pages) coverage of all major contract clauses, what they mean, and how to negotiate them. The book closes out with best in class post contract management practices.

"This book goes beyond the hype to the business partnerships, people, processes, tools, and best practices needed to be successful in the e-business age."

A concise resource for all aspects of contract management in an e-business age, World Class Contracting, Fifth Edition is organized in a simple, easy-to-follow format, focusing on business partnerships, people, processes, tools and best practices. The book includes a valuable discussion of increasing contract complexity, the need for enterprise contract management processes, and a fair, balanced, and independent review of six of the leading contract management software/systems/tools/applications and how they can help you improve performance. A special feature is the discussion of more than 100 best practices from leading global companies involved in contracting for a wide range of goods and services. The best practices are discussed in each phase of the contract management process. Additional features include: More than 25 sample forms that can be used in everyday contract management situations United nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods The Uniform Commercial Code Glossary of contract management terminology Extensive bibliography of resource materials Revisions from the previous edition include: Chapter 4 contains updated coverage of professional associations certification programs and credentials for NCMA, ISM, IACCM, and PMI. Chapter 6 includes new coverage of reverse auctions. Chapter 8 includes an updated discussion of cost plus award fee contracts and time & materials contracts. Two new chapters have been added: Chapter 16 - Contractor Teaming Arrangements Chapter 17 - Managing Subcontractors

This book focuses on what it takes to achieve great business results in the complex world of U.S. Federal Government contracts and projects. Specifically, the book addresses: the nature of the blended (multisector) workforce challenges and opportunities, the need for knowledge management throughout the acquisition life cycle, and the mandate to provide effective program/project management in an environment of performance-based acquisition. The book provides a comprehensive discussion of the six integrated disciplines of Performance-Based Project Management (PBPM), including: Cultural Transformation Strategic Linkage Governance Communications Risk Management Performance Management. Key topics include effective management of a multisector workforce; how to create and sustain a knowledge management culture; success with complex FAR programs and contracts. The book provides 100+ proven best practices, tools, techniques, and more than 12 case studies from both U.S. government agencies and industry. The book concludes with a brief discussion of the Future Acquisition Workforce and what it will take to get great results with on time delivery of quality products, services and integrated solutions at competitive pricing.

This ground-breaking title from the world s leading authority on contemporary contracting best practices, the IACCM (International Association for Contract and Commercial Management) delivers a lively and practical complete insight into the contracting process which is useful in both business and personal life. Contracts are the language of business, and this book gives readers the essentials that can make a difference to any deal, no matter how big or small. Designed for the non-contract business professional, this book takes project managers and other professionals through the basic process and gives them a road map to improved results, increased value, and successful outcomes In this book you ll find sensible guidance and approaches to ensure business success. Case studies showing you what can go wrong and what can go right -- bring theory into the real world. Checklists give confidence and enable you to be certain that you have asked and answered the right questions as you go through any deal. This real-world approach demonstrates the value of effective contracting. This is not dry, academic prose. It is compelling and dynamic advice and tools to manage business relationships for both buyers and sellers.