Since the mid-20th century, project management has evolved into a well-established discipline, recognized as a critical component for the successful completion of any project. In fact, within most organizations today, the importance of project management is rarely questioned. However, when it comes to contract management, the same level of recognition is not always present. This raises a vital question: is contract management just as essential, and what sets it apart from project management?
While project management focuses on the planning, organization, and execution of projects to meet specific objectives, contract management ensures that the foundational agreements governing those projects are properly developed, maintained, and executed. Yet, many companies leave contract management to the project manager, despite the specialized skills required. In the maritime industry, where project complexity is commonly high, overlooking the importance of dedicated contract management can lead to unnecessary risks and missed opportunities.
In this article, we’ll uncover the crucial distinctions between project and contract management, diving deep into the specialized skills that make both roles indispensable. We’ll also challenge the common reliance on legal counsel alone, showing why this approach can leave your project exposed to unnecessary risks. You’ll learn how expert contract management safeguards your projects, controls costs, and drives success, especially in complex industries like maritime. The insights will reveal why every project manager needs a contract manager by their side to ensure nothing falls through the cracks—and how this partnership could be the game-changer your projects have been missing.
The core difference between project management and contract management
At first glance, project management and contract management may seem interconnected, as both play key roles in the success of a project. However, their focus and responsibilities are distinctly different.
Project management primarily revolves around the coordination and execution of tasks that ensure a project is completed on time, within budget, and meets quality standards. Project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve specific objectives. They oversee timelines, manage budgets, and handle team dynamics to keep the project on track.
Contract management, on the other hand, is centered on the agreements that govern the project’s execution. It involves drafting, negotiating, and overseeing contracts to ensure that all parties fulfill their obligations and that the terms of the agreement are adhered to. While project management deals with the "how" of executing a project, contract management is concerned with the "what" and "why" as defined by the contract itself. The contract lays out the rules of engagement, setting the framework for the entire project. Ensuring compliance with these rules is the contract manager's responsibility, making it a critical role in mitigating risks and managing relationships.
In essence, while project managers focus on execution, contract managers focus on compliance and protection of legal and financial interests. Both functions are indispensable, but contract management often goes overlooked, particularly in our industry, where the stakes are high and contract intricacies are many.
Overlapping skills but different roles
While project and contract management share some overlapping skills (such as organization, stakeholder management, and a focus on project objectives) their core competencies differ greatly.
Project managers focus on the overall execution of the project, blending technical managerial and leadership abilities. Their role is to coordinate teams, manage timelines, and ensure the project stays within scope and budget. They are responsible for delivering the project on time while addressing challenges as they arise.
Contract managers, by contrast, concentrate on legal and commercial aspects. Their role involves drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts to ensure both parties meet their obligations and access risks. They work with legal, procurement, and financial teams to protect the organization's interests and manage disputes.
Often, companies expect project managers to handle contracts, but this can be risky. Managing contracts requires specialized legal knowledge of commercial and technical exposure that project managers typically do not have. While there’s collaboration between the roles, contract management needs dedicated expertise to safeguard the project's success, especially in the complex maritime industry.
The importance of contract management in projects
Contract management is crucial for project success, serving as a safeguard against risks, financial issues, and non-compliance. While project managers focus on executing tasks, contract managers ensure the agreements guiding the project are properly followed.
One key role of contract management is risk reduction. By ensuring all parties fulfill their obligations, contract managers help prevent disputes, delays, and cost overruns—particularly important in complex industries like maritime.
They also manage costs by enforcing payment terms and ensuring compliance with regulations, which helps avoid legal issues. Additionally, contract managers improve relationships between stakeholders by managing communication and resolving disputes quickly, ensuring minimal project disruption.
In short, contract management is more than just oversight—it protects the project’s legal, financial integrity and limiting exposure helping ensure successful delivery.
The limits of legal counsel in contract management
While consulting a lawyer during the pre-contract phase is standard practice, relying solely on legal expertise throughout the entire project lifecycle can present challenges. Lawyers are indispensable for drafting and negotiating the legal terms of contracts, ensuring that agreements are sound and compliant with applicable laws. However, contract management goes far beyond the legalities.
Once a contract is in place, managing its implementation requires ongoing oversight of commercial, operational, and relational aspects—areas where lawyers are not always equipped to provide comprehensive support. Lawyers excel in mitigating legal risks, but they are not typically responsible for handling the day-to-day contract administration, such as tracking performance milestones, managing relationships between stakeholders, or ensuring that the project remains aligned with financial objectives.
Contract managers, on the other hand, bring an interdisciplinary skill set that covers these areas, complementing legal counsel’s input. They oversee the contract from start to finish, ensuring that all parties meet their obligations, risks are controlled, and the contract delivers maximum value. By managing the commercial and operational aspects alongside the legal requirements, contract managers ensure a balanced approach that leads to smoother execution and greater project success.
Relying only on lawyers for contract management overlooks these broader needs. A dedicated contract manager bridges this gap, providing the expertise required to manage every aspect of the contract, not just the legal ones.
Why every project manager needs a contract manager
A project manager's role is demanding, requiring focus on timelines, budgets, and team coordination. Adding the responsibility of managing complex contracts stretches their capabilities and increases the risk of critical mistakes. This is where the value of a dedicated contract manager becomes evident.
Contract managers bring specialized knowledge in legal and commercial matters that project managers often lack. They ensure contracts are negotiated effectively, obligations are met, and risks are minimized throughout the project’s lifecycle. Their oversight protects the project from unforeseen legal disputes, cost escalations, and non-compliance with regulations—issues that can derail a project if left unmanaged.
In the maritime sector, where contracts can be highly technical and involve multiple stakeholders, the expertise of a contract manager is not just helpful but essential. They provide the critical legal and financial oversight that allows projects to stay on course, ensuring that both the project and the organization are protected from risks that would otherwise go unnoticed.
This is where The Synergy Partner comes in. With extensive experience in both maritime projects and contract management, The Synergy Partner brings the specialized skills and legal and technical expertise required to navigate even the most complex contract situations. By partnering with The Synergy Partner, you’ll have a trusted advisor who understands the nuances of the maritime industry and can protect your project from start to finish.
