The Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™) is the only globally recognized framework that defines the
phases, competencies, and tasks at the heart of effective contract management. By adopting CMS™,
organizations signal their commitment to best practices and to elevating contract management as a
modern, strategic function.
It has been built on global insight:
- Grounded in real-world experience from across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific
- Developed through open consultation, peer review, and consensus
- Designed for both public and private sectors across all industries
Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, the CMS™ Fourth Edition offers the tools and clarity needed to drive performance, build trust, and achieve contract excellence.
For the CMS™ to have a truly global impact, organisations need to commit to adopting it. Adoption isn’t about perfection on day one - it’s about taking meaningful steps toward consistency, efficiency, and global alignment. That’s why government agencies, multinational corporations, and leading universities are already moving toward CMS™ adoption.
Becoming an adopter of the CMS™ is a public commitment to integrate the Standard in a way that’s practical and relevant to your organization, whether as the foundation of your policies and training, as a way to validate and strengthen existing practices, or as a signal of excellence to clients, partners, and employees.
Adopters become part of a growing global movement to:
- Reduce risk and inefficiency in contract management
- Create alignment across teams, functions, and partners
- Future-proof the workforce through shared standards and training
- Strengthen the profession across industries and borders
Ready to take the next step? Your adoption journey begins with the CCM Institute, the steward of the Contract Management Standard. Explore what adoption looks like, how to get started, and which organizations are already leading the way.
Learn more about becoming an adopter