Advanced Contracts Management

Introduction:

In every organization, the effective expenditure of enormous sums of money and resources is dependent on successful contract management activities. Selecting the appropriate contracting models and creating and managing formal agreements with suppliers of goods and services requires not only a complete understanding of the business requirements and organization needs, but also depends on keeping up-to-date on contracting

Targeted Groups:

• Contract Management
• Project Management
• Design Management
• Construction Management
• Procurement Management
• Commercial Management
• Finance Management

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Learn how to be more effective in contract management activities
• Select appropriate type and form of contracts for different situations
• Expect problems and manage risks
• Integrate contract management with contract needs
• Understand the best means of handling disputes and performance issues
• Establish terms and conditions for different situations
• Have the latest advances in contract selection and management
• Explore the advanced practices generally viewed as leading to World-Class performance in contract selection, development and management

Targeted Competencies:

• Contract preparation
• Contract administration
• Preparing and evaluating bids
• Planning contracting process
• Resolving contractual disputes
• Managing contractors

Course Content:

Unit 1: The Basis of Contracting:

• Principles of Good Contracting
• Why do we use contracts?
• Key steps in the creation of a Contract
• Essential elements of a valid contract
• Overview of Tendering & Contract Award Process
• Advantages of tendering and some pitfalls to avoid
• Distinguishing price and values
• Other Types of Obligation Documents
• Bonds and guarantees
• Letters of intent and award - are they contractual?
• Letters of Comfort - Do they mean anything?
• Side letters - why they can be dangerous
• When to Obtain Legal Advice
• Law of Agency
• Authority to sign contracts

Unit 2: Organizing Strategies for Contract Management:

• Defining Contract Management Responsibilities
• Basic contract planning
• Communication and managing expectations

Unit 3: Assessing and Allocating Risk:

• Identifying Risk
• Apportioning Risk
• Incorporating Risk Assessment and Management
• Selecting types of contract
• Traditional - lump sum, schedule of rates, reimbursable, etc
• EPC
• BOT/BOOT
• Alliance/partnering
• Warranty Management

Unit 4: Effective Handling of Contract Performance Issues:

• Design and Specification
• Work Ordering Process
• Obligation to perform work
• Transfer for ownership
• Risk of damage
• Contract Administration
• Reporting Mechanisms
• Cost Control
• Recovery Clauses - Acceleration
• Insurance and Indemnities
• Termination and suspension

Unit 5: Managing Change within a Contract:

• Understanding change
• Changes to the contract documents
• Variations in scope
• Increases and decreases
• Change in timing
• Change in method of working
• Managing change
• Risks of uncontrolled change

Unit 6: Developing Contract Terms and Conditions:

• Finding Contract Templates
• Using standard form documents
• Modifying standard forms
• Drafting special conditions
• Issues for subcontracts

Unit 7: Eliminating Sources of Contract Disputes:

• Errors and omissions
• Anticipating and avoiding Conflicts
• Dealing with Unknowns
• Tracking Changes
• Managing Expectations

Unit 8: Resolving Disputes:

• Negotiation
• Stage processes
• The need for compromise
• Negotiation techniques
• Litigation
• Arbitration
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Expert determination
• Early neutral evaluation
• Mini-Arbitration
• Mediation
• Med/Arb and Arb/Med
• Pendulum Arbitration
• Dispute Review Board and similar arrangements

Unit 9: The Future in The Middle East:

• Revisiting Strategic Alliance and Partnering Agreements and BOT/BOOT
• Prime Contracting and other Consolidated Sourcing Contracts
• Online Contracting and e-tendering
• Contract Management Review and Summary