MANAGING & ADMINISTERING THE CONTRACTS COST-EFFECTIVELY
“Maximizing Contract Value While Minimizing Risk, Disputes, and Overspend”
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 – 24 Jan 2025 | Dubai, UAE | USD 3495 per delegate |
| 16 – 20 Feb 2025 | Doha, Qatar | USD 3495 per delegate |
| 03 – 07 Mar 2025 | London, UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
| 21 – 25 Apr 2025 | Dubai, UAE | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
In an era of financial constraints and heightened accountability, the ability to manage and administer contracts cost-effectively is a mission-critical capability. Contracts influence supplier performance, risk exposure, operational efficiency, and financial results. This intensive five-day program equips contract managers, procurement officers, project leaders, and legal professionals with the practical tools and strategic insight needed to administer contracts efficiently. Participants will learn how to control cost, minimize claims, manage change, and maintain strong supplier relationships—all within the legal and commercial framework of the contract.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Interpret and apply contract clauses that influence cost and risk.
- Manage variations, extensions, and scope changes effectively.
- Monitor contractor performance and enforce deliverables.
- Administer claims and disputes in accordance with contract terms.
- Improve communication with internal stakeholders and vendors.
- Apply tools to track, control, and forecast contract costs.
Key Benefits of Attending
- Strengthen your ability to ensure contract value is delivered on time and on budget.
- Reduce common administrative errors that lead to cost overruns.
- Gain confidence in negotiating and managing contractor obligations.
- Understand the legal framework that governs contract execution.
- Apply global best practices in commercial and operational contract administration.
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
- Contract and commercial managers
- Procurement and sourcing specialists
- Project managers and engineers
- Legal officers and risk professionals
- Any professional responsible for contract oversight or execution
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
- Commercial awareness and contract literacy
- Risk-based contract oversight
- Financial monitoring and invoice verification
- Communication and dispute mitigation
- Process discipline and performance documentation
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
- Reduced cost leakage and scope creep
- Faster resolution of disputes and claims
- Stronger contractor performance oversight
- Improved internal collaboration between legal, finance, and operations
- Enhanced commercial governance and audit readiness
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
- Strategic Lectures – Legal, commercial, and operational principles
- Case Studies – Contract performance, failure, and success analysis
- Tools – Templates for variation registers, claim logs, and performance checklists
- Group Activities – Simulated scenarios for contract negotiation and review
- Role Plays – Handling disputes, escalations, and contractor pushback
- Practical Exercises – Drafting communications, verifying entitlements
Course Outline
Detailed 5-Day Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Contract Foundations and Cost-Risk Awareness
Module 1: Understanding Contract Types and Cost Implications (07:30 – 09:30)
- Fixed-price, cost-plus, time-and-materials
- Risk vs. reward profiles in each type
- Selecting the right contract model
Module 2: Contract Clauses That Impact Cost (09:45 – 11:15)
- Payment terms, variation provisions, escalation clauses
- Risk allocation and indemnity wording
- Termination rights and cost recovery
Module 3: Administering Obligations and Deliverables (11:30 – 01:00)
- Milestones, KPIs, and deliverables
- Contract compliance registers and logs
- Managing documents and evidence
Module 4: Practical – Obligation Register Review (02:00 – 03:30)
- Populate and review a live obligation tracking template
Day 2: Cost Controls and Contract Execution
Module 5: Budgeting and Forecasting Contract Spend (07:30 – 09:30)
- Establishing baseline budgets
- Forecasting trends and cost-to-complete tools
- Dealing with exchange rate and inflation risks
Module 6: Monitoring Invoices and Deliverables (09:45 – 11:15)
- Progress payment validation
- Withholdings and performance-based triggers
- Documentation for audit and defense
Module 7: Managing Variations and Scope Creep (11:30 – 01:00)
- Variation notice procedures
- Time and cost assessments
- Scope control techniques
Module 8: Case Study – Variation Mismanagement (02:00 – 03:30)
- Real-world example of a project with uncontrolled changes
Day 3: Claims, Disputes and Legal Safeguards
Module 9: Claims Administration and Avoidance (07:30 – 09:30)
- Types of claims: delay, disruption, acceleration, payment
- Time-bars, notices, and waiver traps
- Contractor claim strategies
Module 10: Dispute Resolution in Contract Context (09:45 – 11:15)
- Escalation paths: DABs, arbitration, litigation
- Practical negotiation techniques
- Avoiding deadlocks and hostile escalation
Module 11: Writing Defensible Contract Communication (11:30 – 01:00)
- Drafting notices, reminders, instructions, and rejections
- Tone and structure for legal defensibility
- Documentation discipline
Module 12: Simulation – Claim Response Exercise (02:00 – 03:30)
- Participants draft and defend a variation rejection letter
Day 4: Stakeholder Management and Governance
Module 13: Internal Collaboration and Contract Oversight (07:30 – 09:30)
- Roles of procurement, legal, operations, and finance
- Creating alignment on contract strategy
- Internal reporting protocols
Module 14: Contract Meetings and Performance Reviews (09:45 – 11:15)
- Pre-meeting planning and agendas
- Tracking performance and issue logs
- Escalation and correction
Module 15: Risk-Based Administration and Reporting (11:30 – 01:00)
- Critical path reviews and risk indicators
- Red flag monitoring and exception handling
- Escalation points and status reports
Module 16: Group Activity – Cost Impact Risk Ranking (02:00 – 03:30)
- Risk-based focus for contract management resource allocation
Day 5: Performance Closure and Continuous Improvement
Module 17: Contract Close-Out and Final Payments (07:30 – 09:30)
- Certificate of completion, punch lists, and handover
- Dispute and defect liability period tracking
- Financial reconciliation and audit trail
Module 18: Lessons Learned and Post-Mortem Reviews (09:45 – 11:15)
- Capturing successes and failures
- Tools for internal learning and planning
- Building stronger templates and SOPs
Module 19: Continuous Improvement in Contract Administration (11:30 – 01:00)
- Benchmarking and performance metrics
- Modern tools: dashboards, automation, AI
- Key contract management trends
Module 20: Final Workshop – Contract Admin Excellence Roadmap (02:00 – 03:30)
- Team activity: planning process improvements
- Instructor review and participant feedback
Certification
Participants who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion in Managing & Administering the Contracts Cost-Effectively, recognizing their capability to ensure contracts deliver value, control risk, and support organizational performance.