Course Catalogues / Courses / Description

Price: 3950 £

Key Learning Objectives

• Appreciate the importance of effective contract administration

• Understand the relationship between project management and contract administration

• Examine the process of entering into contractual relationships

• Understand contracts: how to read, interpret and evaluate them

• Examine the key aspects of contract administration and the claims process

• Appreciate the contractual issues surrounding variations, delays and defects

• Appreciate contract compliance issues in project management

• Analyse effective document control, reporting and communication systems

• Introduce cooperative negotiation skills for dispute avoidance and resolution

Contract Administration is a broad term used to describe a variety of responsibilities in the management of contractual relationships between parties. At the core of each responsibility is the contract. The terms of the contract will define the process and the outcomes required of that process. Therefore, fundamental to effective contract administration is a thorough understanding of the contract.

This course will take participants through the formation and interpretation of contracts as the rules of engagement between parties embarking on a project. The course then explores the processes of administration and management of the contract throughout the course of a project. As the project develops, the contract needs to operate so as to define the developing state of play between the parties.

Contract Administration comprises two main aspects:

• Firstly, it is the responsibility of monitoring the progress of the project against the contractual milestones and requirements. By this process the parties are able to measure and demonstrate the success of the project against the pre-agreed aims

• It is also the art of manipulating the contractual position of the parties so as to keep the legal rights and obligations of the parties in line with the everchanging project reality. This is the claims process.

This course looks at the contract administrator’s role and responsibilities, contractual procedures and reporting systems for monitoring compliance - as an integral interface between contract administration and project management.

It also looks at the claims process as a fundamental concept in contract administration and examines in detail the most common claims; namely, variations, delays and defects.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• All personnel involved in the administration or management of contracts

• Project managers required to either perform contract administration or to interface directly with administration personnel

• All builders, contractors, subcontractors or suppliers entering into contracts for reward

• Architects, engineers, designers or other consultants charged with administering contracts for clients

• Developers, government bodies or utilities regularly carrying out projects as a contracting party

Course Details

Course Registration:          8:15am
Course Commencement:    8:30am
Course Conclusion:            5:00pm

Break Times:
Customised to suit participant requirements

Explanation of Timings:
These times act as a guide and may modify slightly depending on the depth of interactive class discussion and whether assessments are being conducted

Course Program:
This program is a guide and may alter to better address participant requirements on a consensus basis

Learning the Importance of Contract Administration and the Implications of Getting it Right or Wrong Contract awareness – what’s in a contract? What’s relevant and what’s not in terms of your role as an administrator The importance of contract administration How getting it right can add value Examining different types of contracts Activity: self-assessment The Contract Quoting and tendering Pre-contractual negotiations Contract formation Documentation Contractual interpretation Activity: contractual interpretation Contract Planning Developing the overall management plan for the contract Aligning contract planning with established systems Evaluating risks Developing strategies for mitigating and managing risk Making the contract operational The Claims Process The claims process Formulating claims Valuing claims Activity: formulating claims

Claims in Detail Payment claims Variations Delays, extensions of time, delay costs and damages Defects Question time The Contract Administrator’s Relationships and Responsibilities The administrators role and limits of authority Examining other roles in the contract management network and their associated limits of authority/decision making power The interpersonal communication to make contracts happen Ethics in contract management Contract Administration and Project Management The interface between contract administration and project management The importance of effective systems for the administration of contracts Establishing timelines, lookups and prompts Contract compliance: monitoring, reporting and adherence to standards Document control and milestone planning Developing communication systems Activity: brainstorming activity Effective Communication to Make Things Happen Systematically Cooperative negotiation as a means of working together Delegating effectively Meetings and minute management Dispute avoidance and resolution Activity: negotiation workshop

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