What is meant by “contract management” in civil engineering?

“Contract management” in civil engineering refers to the process of ensuring compliance and performance of contractual agreements. This involves monitoring and managing the relationships and obligations between all parties involved in a project, including the owner, contractors, and subcontractors, to ensure that all terms of the contract are met.

Effective contract management is critical as it involves not only the enforcement of regulatory requirements but also the handling of any issues that arise during the project’s lifecycle. This includes overseeing the execution of work as outlined in the contract, managing changes to the scope of work, ensuring timely payments, and maintaining a record of all correspondence and documentation.

While overseeing the overall project timeline is a vital aspect of project management, it does not encompass all facets of contract management. Similarly, while managing relationships with subcontractors is important, contract management requires a broader perspective that includes all parties involved, not just subcontractors. Creating and revising project designs falls outside the realm of contract management, as it pertains more to the engineering and design phases than to the contractual obligations associated with the execution of those designs.