1.3 Whilst the framework focuses on the operational phase of the contract, contract management success and the activities undertaken are strongly influenced by what has happened during the tendering/contract award phase, in terms of both 'hard' outputs, such as the terms and conditions that have been agreed, and the type of relationship between customer and supplier that has been established during the tendering/contract award phase. In this way, the tendering/contract award phase and the contract management phase should be seen as a continuum rather than distinct phases, with contract management planned for from the start of the procurement process. Our Commercial and contract management: insights and emerging best practice outlines some of the broader issues that influence the contract lifecycle.