FOREWORD

Successful contract management matters in real life: it leads to a child attending a good school, equipped with essential facilities required for them to succeed; it means an elderly person getting the medicine, support and assistance needed to live a long and happy life; it enables well-maintained motorways to get us safely from A to B.

Every year central government spends £49 billion through contracts on vital goods and public services. It is essential that we have the capability within the public sector to understand the policy goal or operational objective; procure services if necessary; then manage these contracts effectively.

The ability to successfully procure these services is a critical skill. However, if we only focus on this aspect, we can risk underestimating the impact of other important elements of contract management such as managing contract delivery, change control, stakeholder management and ultimately the close-down of one contract and the design of the next. These elements can make the difference between the success and failure of vital services and major infrastructure projects.

We have recognised that the majority of contract management activity sits outside of the commercial function. Individuals responsible for these activities are often anchored in project management, operations and other professions. The Contract Management Professional Standards have been developed to ensure consistency across the landscape and set clear capability benchmarks for individuals involved.

Whether you identify as a contract manager or carry out contract management activities as part of a wider role, we want to help you develop the full range of skills, acumen and relationships required to manage contracts effectively. The standards can help identify development needs and learning opportunities. They also form the basis for the assessment for individuals aiming for accreditation.

When we spend money well, we can achieve great things. Successful services can not only change lives, but also impact on the prosperity and security of the UK. As civil and public servants we all have a duty to deliver the best results for the taxpayer. We are entrusted with enormous amounts of public money and it is our responsibility to spend it well, for the benefit of our citizens.