Move Beyond Electronic Signatures
Electronic signatures solve an important part of the agreement process, but contracts require management before and after signing.
Employees may still prepare contracts manually, exchange different versions by email, request approvals through separate channels and store completed agreements in disconnected folders.
Docusign Contract Lifecycle Management and Intelligent Agreement Management help organisations establish a more connected agreement process.
What Is Contract Lifecycle Management?
Contract Lifecycle Management, commonly known as CLM, is the structured management of contracts throughout their lifespan.
The process generally includes:
- Contract request
- Document generation
- Internal review
- Negotiation
- Approval
- Signature
- Storage
- Obligation monitoring
- Renewal or termination
Docusign CLM supports contract creation, review, negotiation, routing and centralised management. Its capabilities include configurable templates, clause management, version control, workflow automation and integrations with supported business platforms.
What Is Docusign Intelligent Agreement Management?
Docusign Intelligent Agreement Management, or IAM, is designed to connect the agreement process from preparation and signature to management and analysis.
Depending on the selected application and regional availability, IAM capabilities may include:
- Electronic signatures
- Agreement preparation
- AI-assisted data extraction
- Centralised agreement storage
- Workflow automation
- Agreement search and analysis
- Identity and authentication capabilities
- Integration services
Docusign describes IAM as an AI-assisted platform that connects and optimises different stages of the agreement process.
When Does an Organisation Need CLM?
Your organisation may need a CLM solution when:
- Contract volume is increasing
- Employees use different contract versions
- Legal review becomes a bottleneck
- Approval processes are inconsistent
- Signed agreements are difficult to locate
- Renewal dates are tracked manually
- Teams cannot easily identify contract obligations
- Contract data is disconnected from CRM or procurement systems
- Management lacks visibility across the agreement portfolio
Docusign eSignature vs Docusign CLM
Requirements
eSignature
CLM
Send documents for signature
Yes
Yes, through connected capabilities
Track signing progress
Yes
Yes
Generate contracts from structured templates
Limited or plan-dependent
Yes
Manage negotiation and document
Limited
Yes
Maintain approved clause libraries
No
Yes
Automate complex contract approvals
Basic to advanced, depending on plan
Yes
Centralise contract management
Limited
Yes
Manage post-signature obligations
Limited
Yes
CLM Applications by Department
Sales
Generate contracts using approved templates and connect contracting activities with customer opportunities.
Procurement
Standardise supplier agreements, coordinate reviews and improve visibility of vendor contracts.
Legal
Control templates and clauses while reducing repetitive contract administration.
Finance
Improve access to commercial terms, payment conditions and renewal information.
Management
Obtain better visibility into contract status, obligations and organisational exposure.
Plan Your Agreement Management Transformation
A successful CLM project requires more than purchasing software. Organisations should define contract types, owners, approval routes, templates, access controls, integrations and reporting requirements.
BINTARA can assist with preliminary requirement assessment and Docusign solution consultation.