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.

In addition to English, translations of the CMS document are currently available for download in French, Spanish, German, Dutch and Danish.

Find out how to adopt the Standard

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.