CLM: Manage your contracts with a trusted industry leader

FAQs

• What features should I look for in CLM software?

  Look for automated contract creation with dynamic templates, AI-assisted review and negotiation, automated workflows, pre-built integrations (like Salesforce and SAP), and a central searchable repository.

• How long does it take to implement CLM?

  Implementation timelines vary based on business complexity and scope, but Docusign offers templated best practices, pre-configured workflows, and standard implementation services to accelerate onboarding.

• Can occasional users use CLM without training?

  Yes, Docusign CLM provides intuitive role-based user experiences, automated routing, and notifications via everyday tools like email and Slack, allowing occasional users to review and complete tasks easily.

• How does Docusign help address the accuracy of AI outputs?

  Docusign uses Iris, a purpose-built AI engine trained on contract language, along with customizable playbooks, clause libraries, and conditional rules set by Legal to keep AI outputs reliable, accurate, and aligned with company standards.

• What is contract lifecycle management (CLM) or contract management?

  Gartner defines contract lifecycle management (CLM) as the “applications used to manage contracts from inception through time management and eventual renewal or termination.” In simpler terms, contract lifecycle management refers to the methods you use to prepare, sign, store, and execute your business agreements.

• What does a contract management system do?

  Contract management software are applications that help businesses and departments manage contracts more efficiently. Unlike manual document management strategies, CLM software is designed to help you easily store and find contracts, vendor information, standard contract clauses, and contract templates.

• Why are CLM systems important?

  According to the WCC Association, the cost of inefficient contract management can amount to more than 9% of a company's total annual revenue. Docusign CLM customers see an average of 449% ROI in their business operations. Contract management can help a companies achieve significant business results, such as, accelerating revenue recognition, increasing employee productivity, reducing fixed costs—through building capabilities and legally compliant self-service features to make doing business easier.

• What are the stages of contract management?

  An important part of analyzing contract lifecycle management (CLM) workflows is breaking down the contract lifecycle into recognizable stages. The five critical stages of a contract's lifecycle are contract creation, negotiation, routing, approval/signature, and storage.

• What are the risks associated with poor contract management?

  Contract management is often long and opaque, and the additional inefficiency of these processes lengthens the payback period of contracts. Inefficient contract management also makes it difficult to track supplier contract overruns across the enterprise. In addition, contracting processes are prone to human error and introduce different types of risks: incoming contracts may contain terms that put a business at high risk or even block the progress of a deal. Thanks to the AI ​​capabilities of contracts and analytics, you can reduce risk, speed up negotiations, and improve team performance.

• What are the benefits of effective contract management?

  Effective contract management can help companies save time and money, minimize risk and increase sales potential. Digital contract management allows companies to get contracts signed and in progress much faster than in the past, while increasing contract visibility and follow-up. This results in improved efficiency of contracting processes, which saves time and improves the time to value of sales contracts.

  CLM software that leverages AI can also ease the pressure on legal departments, allowing you to focus on more interesting and productive tasks. What's more, it can identify new opportunities and risks that would otherwise go unnoticed.

• Does Docusign CLM integrate with my existing applications?

  Docusign CLM software integrates with applications you already use, such as Salesforce, Coupa, or SAP Ariba. Learn more about our integrations

• How can I search for contracts and create reports?

  With Docusign CLM, you can store, label, and organize contracts in one searchable repository designed specifically for all agreements. This makes it easier to quickly locate existing agreements, compile status reports, and extract insights to reduce risk and improve business function.

• What is redlining?

  Once a contract is generated, changes or modifications often need to be made as part of the contract negotiation process, before the final version is ready for signing: this is the red review process. The objective is to produce a final document that satisfies all parties. The term “redlining” comes from the old way of changing contracts: manually, with a red pen on paper.

• How can I better monitor contracts?

  Contract management software like Docusign CLM lets you send contracts for review, track changes across multiple versions, and keep an audit trail of who did what and when. It also helps you store, label, and organize all contracts in one, searchable place, with granular permissions controls. With powerful CLM software, you can create reports on workflows and contracts to uncover insights and monitor all contract processes.