Contract Insights: The Leading Resource for Contract Management & Procurement Professionals

The 8 Stages of the Contract Lifecycle

3 min read

CobbleStone Software presents the stages of the contract lifecycle - including 8 for contract management.

Understanding the contract lifecycle is essential for legal, procurement, and contract management teams aiming to streamline operations. This guide explores the eight key stages of the contract lifecycle and how contract lifecycle management (CLM) software can optimize each phase for better compliance, efficiency, and collaboration.

Topics: CLMS Return on Investment compliance contract authoring Contract Compliance Contract Compliance Software contract life cycle management Contract Lifecycle Contract Lifecycle Management contract lifecycle software Contract Lifecycle Stages Contract Management Process contract negotiation Contract Stages contract writing contract writing solution e-sign E-signatures eSignature Contract Management Software Maximize ROI with CLM signatures CLM CLM ROI CLMS Electronic Signature electronic signatures eSignatures contract approval process contract renewals CLM Software electronic signature software IntelliSign contract requests legal requests Stages of the Contract Lifecycle The Stages of the Contract Lifecycle

The 3 Contract Management KPIs for Success

By Maria Votlucka on 09/24/25

3 min read

CobbleStone Software helps you evaluate contracts with contract KPIs and contract management KPIs.

If you're trying to improve your contract management process, you’ve probably asked: What metrics actually matter? The answer comes down to three key performance indicators (KPIs): contract efficiency, contract efficacy, and contract risk. These KPIs help teams measure how well contracts are performing, how quickly they move through the lifecycle, and how much risk they carry.

Let’s break down what each KPI means, why it matters, and how you can track it effectively.

Topics: contract tracking ROI for Contract Management Software CLM electronic signatures eSignatures Contract Artificial Intelligence Contract Management KPI contract management roi asset tracking Web-Based Contract Management Software contract automation Contract KPI

Signing Contracts: 5 Tips for a Better Process

By Sean Heck on 12/5/24

3 min read

CobbleStone Software explains signing contracts and five tips for a better process.

Signing contracts is important. A signature seals an agreement between parties, legally binds them, and confirms responsibilities. By signing, you confirm that you have read and understood the terms of the contract and are bound to perform your duties as outlined in the agreement. Financial health, legal standing, and reputation are all on the line. Given the importance of signing contracts, you ought to have a healthy and efficient process for doing so. To that end, here are five tips for a better contract signing process.

Topics: e-sign E-signatures eSignature signatures electronic signatures eSignatures electronic signature software contract signatures contract signing eSignature Software

What Is an Executed Contract? - A Brief Overview.

By Sean Heck on 11/20/24

3 min read

CobbleStone Software explains executed contracts in a brief overview.

Contract execution is a critical stage in contract lifecycle management. By this point, the terms of the contract have been negotiated. Parties involved have ensured that everything is understood and all necessary resources have approved the written agreement. From there, contract parties sign the contract to propel its execution.

Given the importance of this stage of contract management, you should know what an executed contract is and its meaning. As such, here is a brief overview of contract execution.

Topics: E-signatures eSignature Electronic Signature electronic signatures eSignatures post-award contract automation electronic signature software eSignature Software contract execution