Your guide to Contract Lifecycle Management 

What is Contract Lifecycle Management?

Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) is the process of managing a contract from the moment it is requested through to drafting, negotiation, approval, execution, storage and renewal. For modern organisations, CLM is essential for reducing risk, improving compliance, accelerating revenue and removing unnecessary manual work from Legal, Finance, Procurement and the wider business.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of CLM, including how the contract lifecycle works, why traditional processes often fail, the role of approval and negotiation within the lifecycle, and how a modern CLM platform like Plexus enhances each stage.

What are the contract lifecycle stages? 

The contract lifecycle describes each stage a contract moves through from initial request to final renewal. The lifecycle typically includes briefing, drafting, negotiation, approval, execution, storage and renewal. Each stage contributes to accuracy, compliance, efficiency and business value.

Request

The contract lifecycle begins when the business requests Legal support. To move quickly, Legal needs clear information upfront, including the purpose of the agreement, the counterparty, key commercial terms, risk considerations, timelines and supporting documents.

When requests arrive via email or informal conversations, critical details are often missing. Legal must follow up, creating delays before work even begins.

Modern CLM platforms streamline intake by replacing ad hoc requests with structured forms that capture the right information at the start. This creates a clear, auditable request and sets the contract up for faster, smoother progression.

Drafting

Once a request is approved, Legal drafts the contract using approved templates, clause libraries and prior agreements. Drafting defines the commercial and legal foundations of the deal, including obligations, timelines, payment terms and risk allocation.

Manual drafting in Word documents often leads to inconsistent language, duplicated effort and version confusion. Modern CLM and AI-assisted drafting tools improve speed and consistency by guiding users to pre-approved language and automating standard clauses.

Contract Review 

Before a contract is shared externally, Legal reviews it to assess risk, confirm compliance with internal standards, and ensure the agreement reflects the organisation’s risk appetite. This includes identifying non-standard clauses, assessing deviations from templates, and determining acceptable fallback positions.

In manual processes, review is often fragmented across emails, comments and documents, making it difficult to track issues, decisions and accountability.

Modern CLM and AI-assisted review tools streamline this stage by:

• Flagging deviations from approved templates

• Applying playbooks and fallback positions consistently

• Highlighting risk areas early

• Maintaining a clear audit trail of review decisions

This results in faster turnaround, greater consistency and fewer late-stage surprises.

Negotiation

Once reviewed, the contract is shared with the counterparty for negotiation. This is where legal, commercial and operational positions are tested, revised and agreed.

Traditional negotiation relies on email chains, PDFs and multiple document versions, slowing progress and increasing the risk of errors. Modern contract negotiation tools replace this with real-time, browser-based collaboration.

Key benefits include:

• Faster, clearer redlining

• Automatic version control

• Centralised communication with counterparties

• Full visibility into negotiation status and history

Negotiation becomes more efficient, more transparent and easier to control, without sacrificing legal or commercial outcomes.

Approval

Once negotiation is complete, the contract is routed for internal approval. Depending on value and risk, this may involve Legal, Finance, Procurement, business leaders or executives.

When approvals rely on email or informal processes, contracts stall and accountability becomes unclear. Modern CLM platforms automate approvals using defined authority rules, role-based routing and real-time status tracking.

Approvals move faster, escalation paths are clear, and stakeholders always know where a contract sits.

Execution

After approval, authorised parties sign the final agreement, most commonly using eSignature. Signature authority is verified, and the contract becomes legally binding.

Manual signing processes introduce delays and increase the risk of error. Integrated eSignature shortens turnaround times, improves compliance and ensures signed agreements are captured automatically.

Contracts move seamlessly from approval to execution without breaking momentum.

Storage & Management

Once executed, contracts must be stored in a way that supports access, reporting and oversight at scale. Fragmented storage across drives and inboxes creates operational risk and weakens institutional memory.

CLM platforms provide a single, structured system of record, capturing:

• Executed agreements and prior versions

• Key metadata and dates

• Searchable, reportable contract data

This transforms storage from passive filing into active contract management.

Obligation Management

After signing, contracts move into performance. Obligations such as payments, deliverables, notices and compliance commitments must be tracked consistently over time.

Without structured oversight, obligations are missed and risk accumulates quietly. CLM platforms operationalise this stage by:

• Tracking obligations against contract terms

• Triggering reminders and workflows

• Creating accountability across teams

Contracts are managed as ongoing operational assets, not static documents.

Renew/Close

As contracts approach key dates, organisations must decide whether to renew, renegotiate, amend or exit. From an operational perspective, this stage is about protecting value and controlling risk before it crystallises.

In manual environments, renewals are tracked in calendars or not at all. This leads to missed notice periods, unwanted auto-renewals and last-minute decision-making that weakens negotiating leverage.

CLM platforms bring structure and foresight to this stage by:

• Tracking renewal and termination dates automatically

• Triggering alerts well ahead of notice periods

• Supporting structured review and decision workflows

• Capturing outcomes to inform future contracting

Renewal and termination become deliberate decisions, not reactive events.

How contract management software supports the end-to-end lifecycle

Modern CLM platforms include structured intake, templates, approval workflows, negotiation tools, eSignature, secure storage, renewal tracking, analytics and AI-assisted contract review and drafting. Consolidating these steps creates clarity, speed and control while reducing manual work.

How Plexus enhances contract lifecycle management

Plexus provides an AI-powered legal operating system that supports automated workflows, intake and triage, template control, negotiation tools, eSignature, secure storage, renewal alerts, AI contract review, audit trails and enterprise-wide self-service. Plexus helps Legal and the business teams they support reduce risk, eliminate manual work and scale legal support.

Contract Lifecycle Management is critical for every organisation. Manual processes create delays, risk and inconsistent outcomes. Modern CLM platforms centralise and automate contract processes, improving compliance, accelerating execution and giving teams full visibility across agreements. Plexus provides a faster, smarter and more secure way to manage contracts from initial request to renewal.

Lifecycle Stage: Request

For in-house legal teams, contract intake and triage is the foundation of an effective contract lifecycle management process. Every contract request, whether it is a new supplier agreement, customer contract, NDA or renewal, needs to be captured, prioritised and handled consistently to avoid delays, risk and rework.

However, many organisations still rely on ad hoc emails, spreadsheets or informal conversations to initiate contract work. This creates bottlenecks, reduces visibility and slows down turnaround times. A structured, digital intake and triage process enables Legal to manage demand efficiently, align work to business priorities and improve outcomes across the entire contract lifecycle.

This guide explains what contract intake and triage is, why it matters, and how legal teams can optimise the process using modern contract management technology and AI.

What is contract intake and triage?

Contract intake and triage is the structured process through which contract requests are submitted, assessed and routed before drafting or review begins. It ensures Legal receives the right information upfront and can prioritise work based on risk, value and urgency.

An effective contract intake and triage process helps teams:

Capture consistent information for every contract request
Assess risk, complexity and business impact early
Prioritise high-value or high-risk contracts
Route work to the right templates, workflows or reviewers
Reduce unnecessary back-and-forth with the business

For in-house teams, contract intake typically involves a standardised digital request form, followed by automated or guided triage to determine the appropriate contract workflow.

Why efficient contract intake and triage matters

A well-designed intake and triage process delivers clear benefits across Legal and the wider business.

Improved visibility and control
Legal teams gain a single view of all incoming contract requests, including volume, status and priority, rather than relying on inboxes or informal requests.

Faster turnaround times
By capturing the right information upfront and routing requests correctly, contracts move into drafting or review without delays caused by missing details.

Better risk management
Early triage helps identify high-risk agreements, non-standard requests or contracts that require senior legal oversight.

Reduced administrative burden
Automation removes manual data entry and repetitive coordination, allowing Legal to focus on higher-value work.

Key stages of contract intake and triage

Initial request submission
Contract requests are submitted through a standardised digital intake form rather than email. This ensures consistency and completeness from the outset.

Typical information captured includes contract type, counterparty details, contract value, urgency, jurisdiction and any supporting documents.

Risk and priority assessment
Once submitted, the request is assessed based on predefined criteria such as risk level, commercial value and business criticality.

Low-risk, standard contracts can be routed to approved templates or self-service workflows, while complex or high-risk agreements are escalated.

Routing and workflow assignment
Based on triage outcomes, contracts are automatically routed to the correct workflow, reviewer or approval path. This ensures each contract follows the right process from day one.

Common challenges with contract intake

Many organisations experience similar issues when contract intake is unmanaged or manual.

• Requests arrive through multiple channels, leading to lost or duplicated work
• Incomplete information delays drafting and review
• Legal teams struggle to prioritise competing requests
• High-risk contracts are not identified early
• Business stakeholders lack visibility into contract status

These challenges increase legal risk and slow down the business.

Best practices for optimising contract intake and triage

Standardise contract requests
Use a single digital intake form for all contract requests to ensure consistency and completeness.

Automate triage rules
Define rules based on contract type, value and risk to automatically prioritise and route work.

Integrate intake with CLM workflows
Intake should flow directly into drafting, review, approval and execution without manual handoffs.

Provide transparency to the business
Stakeholders should be able to see contract status and next steps without chasing Legal.

Optimising contract intake and triage with Plexus Contract Management

Plexus Contract Management provides a structured, automated approach to contract intake and triage, purpose-built for the contract lifecycle.

Through Plexus AI-powered contract requests, business users can submit contract requests through a guided digital intake experience. Legal teams receive complete, standardised information from the start, reducing delays and rework.

Centralised contract intake
All contract requests are captured in one system, eliminating reliance on email and spreadsheets.

Intelligent triage and prioritisation
Plexus AI assesses requests based on contract type, risk and value, ensuring urgent or high-risk agreements are prioritised appropriately.

Automated routing and workflows
Requests are routed into the correct drafting, review and approval workflows, aligned to your legal playbooks and policies.

Seamless connection to the full contract lifecycle
Once triaged, contracts move directly into drafting, negotiation, execution and post-signature management within the same platform.

Actionable insights and reporting
Legal leaders gain visibility into intake volumes, turnaround times and bottlenecks, enabling continuous improvement.

Why contract intake and triage matters

Effective contract intake and triage transforms how Legal supports the business. By replacing ad hoc requests with a structured, automated process, teams reduce risk, improve speed and deliver better outcomes across the contract lifecycle.

With Plexus Contract Management and Plexus AI, intake becomes the starting point of a connected, intelligent contract lifecycle, not a bottleneck.

Lifecycle Stage: Draft

Contract drafting is a critical stage of the contract lifecycle. It is where commercial intent, legal risk and operational reality are translated into enforceable agreements. For in-house legal teams, drafting must be fast, accurate and consistent, while still allowing flexibility for different contract types and business scenarios.

Yet many teams still draft contracts manually, relying on email, word documents and copy-paste precedents. This slows down turnaround times, introduces inconsistency and increases legal risk. Modern contract drafting software and AI-powered tools enable legal teams to standardise drafting, reduce manual effort and accelerate contract cycles without compromising quality.

This guide explains what contract drafting software is, why it matters, and how Legal can optimise the drafting stage using contract lifecycle management technology.

What is contract drafting software?

Contract drafting software is a core component of contract lifecycle management that supports the creation, assembly and management of contracts. It enables legal teams and approved business users to generate contracts using pre-approved templates, clause libraries and guided workflows.

Contract drafting software helps teams draft faster and more consistently by embedding legal playbooks, fallback positions and approval rules directly into the drafting process. Rather than starting from scratch, users generate contracts that already align with legal policy and business standards.

Why optimising contract drafting matters

An efficient drafting process delivers benefits across Legal and the business.

Speed and efficiency
Automating repetitive drafting tasks reduces turnaround times and allows Legal to focus on complex negotiations and strategic advice.

Consistency and standardisation
Approved templates and clauses ensure contracts reflect current legal positions and reduce variation across agreements.

Risk reduction
Built-in controls help identify missing clauses, non-standard terms and policy deviations before contracts are shared externally.

Better collaboration
Drafting tools support collaboration between Legal, business teams and counterparties without losing version control.

Key capabilities of modern contract drafting software

Template-based drafting
Contracts are generated from approved templates aligned to contract type, jurisdiction and risk profile. Business users can create standard agreements without waiting on Legal for every request.

Clause libraries and standard language
Clause libraries store approved language and fallback positions, ensuring consistent drafting and reducing rework during negotiation.

Workflow automation
Drafts are automatically routed to the correct reviewers and approvers based on contract value, risk or business unit. This ensures contracts move quickly through internal approvals.

Collaboration and version control
Teams can collaborate in real time while maintaining a clear audit trail of changes, versions and approvals.

eSignature integration
Drafting flows seamlessly into execution through integrated eSignature tools such as DocuSign, removing delays between drafting and signing.

How AI enhances the contract drafting stage

AI-powered contract drafting tools extend traditional software by actively assisting Legal during drafting.

AI can generate first-draft agreements from templates, suggest clauses based on precedent, and tailor language to the commercial context. It helps ensure contracts align with internal policies while allowing flexibility where needed.

AI also reviews drafted contracts in real time, flagging missing or high-risk clauses and highlighting deviations from approved standards before the contract leaves the business.

Common challenges in contract drafting

Without the right tools, legal teams often face similar drafting challenges.

Drafting starts from outdated or inconsistent precedents
High volumes of low-risk contracts consume Legal time
Manual approvals slow down turnaround
Errors and inconsistencies are introduced during copy-paste drafting
Business users bypass Legal to move faster

These issues increase risk and frustrate stakeholders.

Best practices for optimising contract drafting

Use approved templates and clause libraries to standardise drafting
Enable self-serve drafting for low-risk agreements
Embed approval rules and legal guidance directly into templates
Integrate drafting with negotiation, approval and execution workflows
Leverage AI to assist with first drafts and risk identification

Optimising contract drafting with Plexus Contract Management

Plexus Contract Management streamlines the drafting stage by combining structured templates, automated workflows and AI assistance in a single platform.

Legal teams can create modular contract templates that reflect approved legal positions and business rules. Approved users across the business can generate contracts confidently without introducing risk.

Plexus AI supports drafting by suggesting clauses, identifying gaps and highlighting deviations from precedent, allowing Legal to intervene only where necessary.

Drafted contracts flow directly into negotiation, approval and execution, ensuring continuity across the entire contract lifecycle.

Why contract drafting matters

Contract drafting sets the foundation for every stage that follows. When drafting is slow, inconsistent or manual, the entire contract lifecycle suffers. By modernising drafting with contract management software and AI, Legal teams reduce risk, improve speed and enable the business to move faster with confidence.

With Plexus Contract Management and Plexus AI, drafting becomes a structured, scalable and intelligent stage of the contract lifecycle rather than a bottleneck.

Lifecycle Stage: Review & Negotiate 

Contract review and negotiation sit at the centre of the contract lifecycle. This is the stage where legal risk is assessed, commercial intent is refined, and agreements are shaped into enforceable, workable outcomes for all parties.

When review and negotiation are slow or inconsistent, contracts stall, deals lose momentum and risk increases. Modern contract lifecycle management platforms, combined with AI-powered review tools, help legal teams accelerate negotiations while maintaining control, consistency and compliance.

This article shares what contract review and negotiation are, why they matter, and how legal teams can optimise this stage using contract management software and AI.

What is contract review and negotiation?

Contract review is the process of analysing a draft agreement to identify legal, commercial and operational risks. It involves checking terms against internal policies, precedent templates, fallback positions and regulatory requirements.

Contract negotiation is the structured discussion between parties to modify contract terms before execution. The goal is to reach a legally binding agreement that reflects a mutually acceptable balance of risk, value and responsibility.

Together, review and negotiation ensure contracts are accurate, compliant and aligned with business objectives before they are signed.

Why contract review and negotiation matter

Effective review and negotiation protect the organisation and enable stronger commercial outcomes.

• Reduce legal and financial risk by identifying non-standard or high-risk clauses early.
• Improve deal velocity by reducing back-and-forth and unnecessary escalation.
• Strengthen relationships by creating clarity, fairness and trust between parties.
• Ensure contracts reflect what was actually agreed, not just what was discussed.

Poorly managed review and negotiation often lead to disputes, renegotiations and avoidable exposure after signing.

Common challenges in contract review and negotiation

Many legal teams face similar issues during this stage of the lifecycle.

• Reviews rely on manual reading and comparison of long documents
• Negotiations happen over email with limited visibility or version control
• Non-standard clauses are missed under time pressure
• Business teams bypass Legal to keep deals moving
• There is no consistent way to assess or score risk

These challenges slow contracting and increase downstream risk.

How AI supports contract review and negotiation

AI enhances contract review by performing a fast, consistent first pass across agreements.

AI can identify clause types, flag missing or non-standard terms, and highlight deviations from approved precedent. It compares versions during negotiation, surfaces risk areas and helps legal teams focus their attention where it matters most.

During negotiation, AI provides real-time insight into fallback positions, historical outcomes and common negotiation patterns. This allows Legal to respond faster and with greater confidence.

Best practices for reviewing and negotiating contracts

• Prepare before negotiation begins by understanding objectives, priorities and acceptable risk positions.
• Use approved templates and clause libraries to minimise unnecessary negotiation.
• Ensure all changes are tracked and reviewed in a single system to maintain version control.
• Document agreements clearly rather than relying on verbal commitments.
• Allow sufficient time to review terms thoroughly before execution.
• Escalate only genuinely high-risk issues to senior stakeholders.

Optimising review and negotiation with contract management software

Modern contract management platforms bring structure and visibility to review and negotiation.

Contracts are reviewed directly within the platform rather than through email attachments. Changes are tracked automatically, creating a single source of truth for all parties.

Approval workflows ensure contracts move to the right reviewers based on value or risk. Negotiation history, comments and redlines remain visible throughout the process.

This reduces delays, improves accountability and shortens contract cycles.

Reviewing and negotiating contracts with Plexus Contract Management and Plexus AI

Plexus Contract Management centralises contract review and negotiation within a single platform, eliminating fragmented workflows.

Plexus AI accelerates review by analysing contracts against approved templates, policies and fallback positions. It highlights risk using intuitive visual indicators and flags deviations early in the negotiation process.

Legal teams gain full visibility into changes, negotiation history and approvals, while business teams receive faster responses and clearer guidance.

By combining structured workflows with AI-assisted review, Plexus helps teams negotiate contracts faster without compromising control or compliance.

Contract review and negotiation across different teams

• Legal teams use review and negotiation to manage risk and ensure enforceability.
• Sales teams rely on faster negotiation to close deals and maintain momentum.
• Procurement teams negotiate pricing, delivery and service levels with suppliers.
• Finance teams depend on accurate terms to manage obligations and forecasting.

A shared contract management platform ensures all stakeholders operate from the same version of the agreement.

Contract negotiation vs contract management

Contract negotiation is a single phase within the broader contract lifecycle.

Contract management covers the full process of drafting, reviewing, negotiating, approving, executing and managing contracts after signing.

While negotiation focuses on agreeing terms, contract management ensures those terms are delivered, tracked and renewed over time.

Why this stage defines contract success

The review and negotiation stage determines whether a contract becomes an asset or a liability. When this stage is slow, manual or inconsistent, risk increases and business slows down.

By combining contract management software with AI-powered review, legal teams can negotiate with speed, confidence and clarity, setting contracts up for success before they are signed.

Lifecycle Stage: Approval

Contract approval is the stage of the contract lifecycle where agreements are reviewed, authorised and cleared for execution. A well-designed approval process ensures contracts move quickly while maintaining compliance, accountability and risk control.

In many organisations, approvals are a major source of delay. Contracts are often sent via email, approvals are unclear, and stakeholders lack visibility into where an agreement is sitting. This creates bottlenecks, increases risk and slows time to execution.

A structured, automated approval workflow removes friction and ensures every contract follows the right path.

What is the contract approval process?

The contract approval process governs how a contract moves from review to execution. It defines who must approve a contract, in what order, and under what conditions.

Approvals typically involve Legal, Finance and business leaders, and may vary based on contract value, risk profile or contract type. Without a defined process, approvals become inconsistent and difficult to enforce.

Why contract approval workflows matter

Clear approval workflows reduce risk and speed up execution by ensuring the right people are involved at the right time.

When approval workflows are defined and automated, organisations benefit from faster turnaround times, fewer errors, improved compliance and greater transparency across teams. Contract owners gain visibility into status and accountability shifts away from Legal being the sole gatekeeper.

Common challenges in contract approvals

Many organisations struggle with approvals due to manual processes and unclear ownership.

Multiple review cycles create delays when teams work on different versions of the same contract. Limited visibility leaves stakeholders guessing about status. Unclear roles result in contracts stalling with the wrong approver. Compliance risks increase when contracts bypass required approvals. Bottlenecks emerge when approvals depend on busy executives with no escalation path.

Best practices for effective contract approvals

Successful approval workflows are built on structure, automation and clarity.

Contracts should live in a single, secure system so approvers always access the latest version. Approval pathways should be automated based on value, risk and contract type. Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined so everyone knows when they are required to act. Delegations of Authority should be embedded into workflows to ensure consistent governance.

Standardised templates reduce the number of approval cycles required and limit unnecessary negotiation. Clear communication and training ensure the process is followed consistently across the business.

Delegation of Authority in contract approvals

Delegation of Authority defines who is authorised to approve contracts at different thresholds. Embedding DoA rules into approval workflows ensures contracts are escalated appropriately and approvals are auditable.

Automated DoA routing eliminates guesswork, reduces approval times and ensures compliance without relying on institutional knowledge.

How Plexus streamlines contract approvals

Plexus automates contract approval workflows so contracts move quickly and consistently from review to execution.

Approval workflows are configured using no-code rules based on contract value, risk and type. Contracts are automatically routed to the right approvers with real-time notifications. Stakeholders can review, comment and approve in one platform without email back-and-forth.

Integrated version control ensures approvers always see the latest document. Audit trails provide clear records of decisions and approvals. Dashboards give Legal and the business full visibility into approval status and bottlenecks.

By embedding approvals into the broader contract lifecycle, Plexus removes friction and reduces dependency on Legal for routine administration.

Benefits of automated contract approvals

Automated approval workflows reduce manual handling, accelerate execution and improve governance.

Legal teams spend less time chasing approvals and more time on strategic work. Business teams gain clarity and ownership of their contracts. Organisations reduce risk through consistent enforcement of policies and approvals.

Contract approvals as part of the wider CLM process

Approvals are a critical stage within the broader contract lifecycle. When approvals are disconnected from drafting, negotiation and execution, delays and risk increase.

By managing approvals within a single contract lifecycle management platform, organisations ensure contracts flow seamlessly from request to signature with full visibility at every step.

Lifecycle Stage: Execution

Contract approval is the stage of the contract lifecycle where agreements are reviewed, authorised and cleared for execution. A well-designed approval process ensures contracts move quickly while maintaining compliance, accountability and risk control.

In many organisations, approvals are a major source of delay. Contracts are often sent via email, approvals are unclear, and stakeholders lack visibility into where an agreement is sitting. This creates bottlenecks, increases risk and slows time to execution.

A structured, automated approval workflow removes friction and ensures every contract follows the right path.

What is the contract approval process?

The contract approval process governs how a contract moves from review to execution. It defines who must approve a contract, in what order, and under what conditions.

Approvals typically involve Legal, Finance and business leaders, and may vary based on contract value, risk profile or contract type. Without a defined process, approvals become inconsistent and difficult to enforce.

Why contract approval workflows matter

Clear approval workflows reduce risk and speed up execution by ensuring the right people are involved at the right time.

When approval workflows are defined and automated, organisations benefit from faster turnaround times, fewer errors, improved compliance and greater transparency across teams. Contract owners gain visibility into status and accountability shifts away from Legal being the sole gatekeeper.

Common challenges in contract approvals

Many organisations struggle with approvals due to manual processes and unclear ownership.

Multiple review cycles create delays when teams work on different versions of the same contract. Limited visibility leaves stakeholders guessing about status. Unclear roles result in contracts stalling with the wrong approver. Compliance risks increase when contracts bypass required approvals. Bottlenecks emerge when approvals depend on busy executives with no escalation path.

Best practices for effective contract approvals

Successful approval workflows are built on structure, automation and clarity.

Contracts should live in a single, secure system so approvers always access the latest version. Approval pathways should be automated based on value, risk and contract type. Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined so everyone knows when they are required to act. Delegations of Authority should be embedded into workflows to ensure consistent governance.

Standardised templates reduce the number of approval cycles required and limit unnecessary negotiation. Clear communication and training ensure the process is followed consistently across the business.

Delegation of Authority in contract approvals

Delegation of Authority defines who is authorised to approve contracts at different thresholds. Embedding DoA rules into approval workflows ensures contracts are escalated appropriately and approvals are auditable.

Automated DoA routing eliminates guesswork, reduces approval times and ensures compliance without relying on institutional knowledge.

How Plexus streamlines contract approvals

Plexus automates contract approval workflows so contracts move quickly and consistently from review to execution.

Approval workflows are configured using no-code rules based on contract value, risk and type. Contracts are automatically routed to the right approvers with real-time notifications. Stakeholders can review, comment and approve in one platform without email back-and-forth.

Integrated version control ensures approvers always see the latest document. Audit trails provide clear records of decisions and approvals. Dashboards give Legal and the business full visibility into approval status and bottlenecks.

By embedding approvals into the broader contract lifecycle, Plexus removes friction and reduces dependency on Legal for routine administration.

Benefits of automated contract approvals

Automated approval workflows reduce manual handling, accelerate execution and improve governance.

Legal teams spend less time chasing approvals and more time on strategic work. Business teams gain clarity and ownership of their contracts. Organisations reduce risk through consistent enforcement of policies and approvals.

Contract approvals as part of the wider CLM process

Approvals are a critical stage within the broader contract lifecycle. When approvals are disconnected from drafting, negotiation and execution, delays and risk increase.

By managing approvals within a single contract lifecycle management platform, organisations ensure contracts flow seamlessly from request to signature with full visibility at every step.

Lifecycle Stage: Execution

Contract approval is the stage of the contract lifecycle where agreements are reviewed, authorised and cleared for execution. A well-designed approval process ensures contracts move quickly while maintaining compliance, accountability and risk control.

In many organisations, approvals are a major source of delay. Contracts are often sent via email, approvals are unclear, and stakeholders lack visibility into where an agreement is sitting. This creates bottlenecks, increases risk and slows time to execution.

A structured, automated approval workflow removes friction and ensures every contract follows the right path.

What is the contract approval process?

The contract approval process governs how a contract moves from review to execution. It defines who must approve a contract, in what order, and under what conditions.

Approvals typically involve Legal, Finance and business leaders, and may vary based on contract value, risk profile or contract type. Without a defined process, approvals become inconsistent and difficult to enforce.

Why contract approval workflows matter

Clear approval workflows reduce risk and speed up execution by ensuring the right people are involved at the right time.

When approval workflows are defined and automated, organisations benefit from faster turnaround times, fewer errors, improved compliance and greater transparency across teams. Contract owners gain visibility into status and accountability shifts away from Legal being the sole gatekeeper.

Common challenges in contract approvals

Many organisations struggle with approvals due to manual processes and unclear ownership.

Multiple review cycles create delays when teams work on different versions of the same contract. Limited visibility leaves stakeholders guessing about status. Unclear roles result in contracts stalling with the wrong approver. Compliance risks increase when contracts bypass required approvals. Bottlenecks emerge when approvals depend on busy executives with no escalation path.

Best practices for effective contract approvals

Successful approval workflows are built on structure, automation and clarity.

Contracts should live in a single, secure system so approvers always access the latest version. Approval pathways should be automated based on value, risk and contract type. Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined so everyone knows when they are required to act. Delegations of Authority should be embedded into workflows to ensure consistent governance.

Standardised templates reduce the number of approval cycles required and limit unnecessary negotiation. Clear communication and training ensure the process is followed consistently across the business.

Delegation of Authority in contract approvals

Delegation of Authority defines who is authorised to approve contracts at different thresholds. Embedding DoA rules into approval workflows ensures contracts are escalated appropriately and approvals are auditable.

Automated DoA routing eliminates guesswork, reduces approval times and ensures compliance without relying on institutional knowledge.

How Plexus streamlines contract approvals

Plexus automates contract approval workflows so contracts move quickly and consistently from review to execution.

Approval workflows are configured using no-code rules based on contract value, risk and type. Contracts are automatically routed to the right approvers with real-time notifications. Stakeholders can review, comment and approve in one platform without email back-and-forth.

Integrated version control ensures approvers always see the latest document. Audit trails provide clear records of decisions and approvals. Dashboards give Legal and the business full visibility into approval status and bottlenecks.

By embedding approvals into the broader contract lifecycle, Plexus removes friction and reduces dependency on Legal for routine administration.

Benefits of automated contract approvals

Automated approval workflows reduce manual handling, accelerate execution and improve governance.

Legal teams spend less time chasing approvals and more time on strategic work. Business teams gain clarity and ownership of their contracts. Organisations reduce risk through consistent enforcement of policies and approvals.

Contract approvals as part of the wider CLM process

Approvals are a critical stage within the broader contract lifecycle. When approvals are disconnected from drafting, negotiation and execution, delays and risk increase.

By managing approvals within a single contract lifecycle management platform, organisations ensure contracts flow seamlessly from request to signature with full visibility at every step.