The Contract
Management StandardTM

A global standard

The Contract Management Standard 4th edition (CMS) is the globally recognized, definitive framework for the commerce and contract management process, providing a common language and structure to enhance efficiency and support consistency across jurisdictions and sectors.

The Standard plays a vital role in five key areas

  1. 1.

    Establishing a clear and standardized understanding of commerce and contract management as a process

  2. 2.

    Providing a structured view of the contract lifecycle, including pre-award, award, and post-award phases

  3. 3.

    Supporting high-performing relationships through a shared understanding of contract management between trading partners

  4. 4.

    Driving innovation and efficiency through informed decision-making

  5. 5.

    Adapting to industry needs through a formal change and update process

A consensus-driven standard

The Contract Management Standard has been developed and maintained through a rigorous, consensus-based approach, led by a balanced panel of professionals from government, industry, and academia. This collaborative process ensures that the standard reflects real-world needs, making it a credible and practical resource for worldwide implementation.

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Contract management requires a body of specialist knowledge. The Contract Management Standard informs the baseline for that knowledge.