The blog

In a previous article on claims under FIDIC contracts, we saw that form determines the very existence of a claim: a perfectly well-founded right but…

On most projects, a received idea holds that a claim is won on substance. The idea is appealing: the claim would be a matter for technicians and experts…

Choosing the right FIDIC contract is a sound instinct, but a project's performance is decided in delivery, not at signature. The blind spots to anticipate.

What place should leadership hold in the contract manager's role? The contract manager's leadership is still too often seen as a secondary quality, useful in…

In construction, energy and major infrastructure, the contract manager sooner or later comes across a FIDIC contract. That is how they may cross paths…

With a perpetual licence, risk was settled at the point of purchase. With SaaS and AI, it now has to be managed every day.

How much weight should risk-based management carry in contract management?

Five contract manager best practices for staying in control of contract changes: reading, modelling, alignment, tooling, discipline.

In most modern organisations, risk management is a mature process. The procedures exist, often documented and certified. The registers are filled in.…

Behind this deliberately blunt title lies a debate that keeps coming back, in organisations as much as in the profession: is contract management a support function or…

In many organisations, the procurement function is now solidly structured, equipped and professionalised. Contract management, for its part, is still often…

The growing digitalisation of organisations is creating an ever-stronger dependence on business applications. Corporate websites, customer portals, ERP, CRM or internal tools…

Only a few years ago, few people knew exactly what contract management was. Today the contract manager role is booming. Job…

I. What is a multi-buyer contract? Let us start with a definition, or at the very least an explanation! What do we mean by a multi-buyer contract? In simple terms…

For several years now, contract management has established itself in France as an essential discipline for organisations that want to optimise the lifecycle of…

The title of this article is a (loose) translation of the title of a report published in September by the renowned association WCC. Beyond the title, which is not the most operational…

In infrastructure and construction projects, schedule slippage is the rule rather than the exception. Bad weather, delayed access, design changes…

The publication a few weeks ago of a study conducted by the WCC (World Commerce & Contracting) among nearly 200 organisations highlighted the specifics of…

Context: A mid-sized company in the renewable energy sector wanted to professionalise its contract management practice and, to that end, to put dedicated processes…

Following a fascinating conversation with Jean-François, Project Director, and a rich interview with Anne-Marie, Head of Procurement, we continue our summer series of portraits…

Summer is here and the pace slows down. Whether you are at the beach, in the mountains, on a city terrace or on a train heading to your holiday destination, now is…

As part of our summer series on the roles that interface with contract management, we hand the floor to professionals whose day-to-day work crosses paths with that of…

A series from Prime Conseil, where projects come to life, contracts take on meaning. “The contract manager is both a safeguard and a sparring partner”…

Summer is coming, and so are the holidays (for most of us). It is a chance to switch off, to catch your breath, but also to take stock of the past six months, to have…

The release a few days ago of the 4th edition of the Contract Management Standard® (CMS™) marks an important milestone in the structuring of contract management. Born of a…

Contract management in the defence sector is a world of its own. To illustrate the point, in the United States (where contract management originated), there…

In France, contract management is gradually establishing itself in the corporate landscape, whether in job adverts, in project organisation charts or, more…

In complex projects, particularly in construction, managing additional works remains a critical point in the contractual relationship. So-called…

In an increasingly uncertain economic environment (we discussed this in our last article), companies are constantly looking for levers to secure and…

Context: A leading group in the renewable energy sector wanted, in connection with a major contract it had won, to professionalise the practice of contract…

How do you steer a contract when the economic environment changes at the speed of a tweet? How do you hold your course when the traditional reference points, stability…

Context: A major group in the energy sector wanted to transform the way its contracts were managed in the pre-signature phase, in particular in order…

The Cyber Resilience Act (or CRA) is a European regulation that forms part of the European Union's adoption of a legislative framework addressing the cyber threat.…

The wide-ranging study on 2025 contract management trends carried out by Prime Conseil in partnership with contractmanagement.fr identified artificial intelligence…

On a project, claims are often unavoidable. They arise when differences or tensions appear between the parties (the client…

FIDIC (the International Federation of Consulting Engineers) is an organisation that has given its name to a series of standard contracts used in France and…

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a strategic issue in contract management, and its legal framework keeps evolving through legislation such as the AI Act.…

To mark the AI Action Summit, ANSSI (the French national cybersecurity agency) published this February a…

Contract management is booming. More and more companies, in every sector, are recruiting contract managers able to steer their…

In an increasingly technology-driven world, companies face a proliferation of IT contracts: cloud hosting, SaaS solutions…

We put out a call in December and, in just three weeks, more than 200 contract managers from five different countries responded to the survey run in…

Everyone – or almost everyone – dreams of having a contract manager on the team, don’t they? The obstacle often lies in allocating budget to a function that is still…

Every year, as the end-of-year holiday season approaches, we see the famous list of “New Year resolutions” spring up everywhere. Do more sport, spend more…

Contract management is a young discipline, in constant evolution. Contract practitioners interact with a wide range of stakeholders (buyers…

Ah, December… the month when the Christmas spirit takes over the office, together with an unavoidable ritual: Secret Santa. But how do you find an original and meaningful gift…

Last week saw the great gathering of French legaltech: the Rendez-vous des transformations du droit! The unmissable event for innovation in law…

Whether you are concluding a contract at the end of a tender, resolving a dispute during execution, or readjusting the terms of an agreement, it all goes through…

In this article, we look at contract management processes, at the continuous improvement of a contract management department, and therefore at how its…

In the retail sector, the annual negotiations are a crucial moment when every player – retailers, suppliers and logistics providers – seeks to…

It may seem trivial at first glance, but the question of what an NDA is really for deserves to be asked. Looking back over many years of professional practice…

So which contract clauses are the subject of hard-fought negotiation between lawyers, contract managers and the other people who negotiate contracts? That is the title…

Managing contracts in complex, uncertain environments – in construction, energy or the food industry – requires the ability to anticipate…

Experience is what makes the difference between reading a contract and understanding it, and what takes you from contract administration to contract management.

Contract templates are riding high: everyone wants their own, to use as a working basis and save time in the pre-signature phases of the…

For this new profile, we had the great privilege of speaking with Nicolas Le Floch, a contract manager with a rich career behind him!

Context: Our client had embarked on an extension of its plant to accommodate a new production line. The project covered industrial civil engineering works as well as…

Context: the client, a car manufacturer, set out to create a high-end showroom in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) to showcase its new models and give…

Context: A French energy group wanted the support of an experienced contract manager to manage performance of a design and build contract…

Context: A major French defence group wanted to bid for an international tender as a joint and several consortium with two smaller foreign companies, and moreover…

As part of a major acquisition programme for a foreign government, the Prime Conseil teams carried out structuring work on contract strategy…

In the preparatory phase after contract signature, “contract awareness” refers to the process by which every stakeholder involved in performance…

As a contract manager with strong procurement experience, having spent some fifteen years in large industrial groups, I have often been…

With all the communication channels used on a project: telephone, email, letters, face-to-face meetings, video calls or even…

Let's continue our summer series with a second contract manager profile, and not just any one! I had the pleasure of interviewing Henri Zouingnan, partner and consultant in…

With just hours to go before the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it is time to ask what medal chances the in-house contract manager…

In complex projects, handling claims (or “claim management”) is unavoidable and the art of negotiation an essential skill for the contract…

There is an abundant literature on the technical skills essential to the contract manager throughout the contract lifecycle, and a widely held popular belief…

In a previous article, we introduced the statement of work (or "SOW"), gave its definition and offered a few quick tips on the subject. In this article, we…

At the latest World Commerce & Contracting (WCC) congress in Malaga, we had the pleasure of meeting BirdsEye, a SaaS contract management software publisher. We…

In a previous article, we introduced the FIDIC contract and its particular features, the different types of FIDIC and the points to watch with these contract models…

Effective management of supplier contracts has become a key element in improving the performance of the procurement function. Procurement departments, once seen as…

In contract management, and more broadly for anyone involved in complex projects, it is essential to understand what a “claim” is and where its boundaries lie. For…

The contract manager’s profession is full of terms and acronyms that are often hard to grasp for a beginner or an outsider. New contract managers often find themselves…

Contract management is a strategic discipline that came to us from across the Atlantic. It is therefore often worth looking closely at how they practise the discipline…

Although lawmakers have taken up the thorny issue of logistics penalties in the large retail sector, notably with the Act of 30 March 2023…

Contract management does not stop at mastering the contract. Like many other professions rooted in the human sciences, the contract manager must understand…

The supply chain is no exception to the return of tighter obligations and contractual rigour. The various crises of recent years, which have added…

The food and agriculture industry plays a more than essential role in the French economy, contributing to both economic growth and the country's food security. And…

In the vast universe of (more or less) complex projects, where innovation secrets and commercial strategies can prove formidable competitive…

The world of contract management is changing fast, and solid training is needed to navigate its often complex waters with ease. With the imminent introduction…

For the past few days, Wolters Kluwer, one of the global leaders of the legaltech ecosystem, has been announcing with a fanfare of press releases the launch of its new…

In the merciless arena of tenders, where every participant tries to assemble its best team of gladiators to build the most aggressive bid, the contract manager…

Digital change, combined with the growth of malicious attacks, has pushed companies and public bodies to make data protection and, more…

Inherently complex and now heavily standardised, the business world today demands more professional and rigorous contract management & administration than ever. Complementing ISO 31000…

Using blockchain for your IT contracts (and others!) Blockchain is an emerging technology with the potential to revolutionise many sectors, including that of…

In contract management, and particularly in the construction and energy sectors, you frequently come across so-called “FIDIC” contracts. These…

As the business world grows more complex and more heavily contractualised, the contract manager’s role has become essential to managing contracts effectively…

In a world where technology and contract management are increasingly intertwined, Robin AI, a British legaltech specialising in contract management, has just…

2024 is fast approaching! Now that you have recharged your batteries and enjoyed some good family time, it is time to make new resolutions for the year ahead. At…

In this article we explore an important topic: the management of the contract lifecycle (or contract lifecycle management). Whether this subject fascinates you or…

The end of the year is approaching, and with it the “secret santa” and the hunt for the perfect gift for your colleagues. For your favourite contract manager, the one who juggles contract terms…

In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty and deep change, risk management is a priority for any business that legitimately cares about…

In public procurement, the growing interest in contract management marks a significant shift in the award and performance of public procurement contracts.…

Contracts, often seen as serious and rigid documents, can sometimes contain clauses so surprising that they look like an outright joke. Here is a look at a few of…

Project management is a fascinating world in which deadlines always seem too short and budgets too tight. A world dotted with hazards, headaches (and every…

For several years now, we have watched logistics penalties in the large retail sector spiral upwards. The trend, amplified by the recent crises (Covid-19, the war in…

Introduction The recent storms Ciarán and Domingos caused significant disruption, raising questions about their potential impact on public procurement…

In France, the contract manager role, still a recent one, is mainly occupied by professionals and experts from two broad profile families: the lawyer and…

The title may be a little strong, but as in any field and on any project, communication is the sinews of war! All the more so when the subject matter can come across as…

Introduction In the maze of public procurement procedures, the règlement de consultation (RC) stands out as a lighthouse guiding the ships – the bidding companies –…

A successful commercial proposal is the result of a complex alchemy combining meticulous strategy, precise tailoring and a compelling executive summary. It must create…

In the competitive world of responses to requests for proposals (RFP), the “executive summary” is the cornerstone of a winning proposal. It is not simply…

The Covid-19 health crisis accelerated awareness of environmental and societal issues. These expectations, which increasingly guide the choices of…

Like it or not, the business world has become complex and contractual. Managing contracts is now far more than a mere bureaucratic formality. The…

Nurseries, and private nurseries in particular, have recently been in the spotlight. One book above all lit the fuse: Le prix du berceau: Ce que la…

Introduction: early orchestration, the key to the digital symphony Picture a company as a great orchestra about to play a symphony of digital transformation.…

French Law no. 2016-1691 of 9 December 2016 on transparency, the fight against corruption and the modernisation of economic life, known as the “Sapin II Act”, requires…

It is increasingly common to come across reversibility clauses in contracts entered into by companies' IT departments. These clauses…

Early in my career as a contract manager, I was often faced with drafting, reviewing or negotiating the famous “SOW”, which in French is pronounced “seau”, or “sot…

For several years now, IT has become more than central to the smooth running and growth of companies and public bodies, whatever their…

HRIS, ERP, PIM, CLM, CRM,… software is everywhere and is now essential to how a company runs. Implementing, maintaining and supporting this…

Contract management, a fast-growing discipline, plays an essential role in the management of contracts within companies. Whether you are a seasoned lawyer or a…

Act No. 2016-1691 of 9 December 2016 on transparency, the fight against corruption and the modernisation of economic life, known as the “Sapin II” Act, brought…

In a world where contracts play an increasingly crucial role in business operations and, more broadly, in optimising both the top and bottom of a company's balance sheet…

At the start of the summer, the Legal Affairs Directorate (the DAJ) published its annual activity report. The DAJ's activities include. What should we take away from this report…

Introduction On 25 October, the new European notice format will replace the current forms. This new format, called “eForms”, will apply throughout…

Introduction Public procurement contracts or private tenders, when it comes to responding to tenders many companies struggle to write a winning bid. This is…

The term crops up everywhere as soon as a project grows in scale, in construction, energy, IT services or procurement. People speak of contract management, sometimes…

Contract management is taking on an ever more important role within companies. Identifying and understanding the different stages of the contract lifecycle is an essential…

After weeks of savouring the gentle song of the waves, the brightness of the sun and moments of relaxation by the beach, it is time to return to the reality of the office. For…

Introduction Summer is here, and it is the ideal moment to relax and lose yourself in a good book. If you are a contract manager, project manager or work in any other role linked to the…

When a company decides to outsource the management of its information system, it generally enters into an IT outsourcing contract with a service provider often…

The riots that shook France from 27 June to 5 July 2023 left behind extensive damage and rebuilding work. To rebuild quickly, particularly given the…

It is a fact: business is becoming ever more contractual. Whatever the sector, contracts and legal structures are increasingly complex and…

Emmanuel Macron, Bruno Le Maire and Roland Lescure announced it (and shared it widely) this weekend: after being passed by the Senate in June, the Green Industry Act has been…

Introduction In business, the contract manager is responsible for managing contracts between two or more parties. When there is a complex contract to negotiate, a…

Summer is here (the media keep telling us how hot it is!). Most of you are on the starting blocks, daydreaming about family holidays and downtime…

Introduction The contract manager role (or “gestionnaire de contrats” in French) is playing an ever more important part within companies. Once reserved for large…

Taking on public procurement can be a real lever of transformation for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). However, the process of monitoring and identifying…

The CCAG-TIC, the general administrative clauses for information and communication technology contracts, is the framework governing the award of…

A friend’s mother once told me: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” Well, she was not entirely wrong, unless…

The history of public procurement in France partly mirrors the country’s economic, legal and even political history. Let us take a moment to look at that…

Blockchain and contract management: two concepts that might seem as far apart as Kantian aesthetics and the humour of Louis C.K. Yet, at the dawn of this…