Building Contract Management Maturity in Government: A Framework for Long-Term Value

Public sector organisations often manage hundreds of supplier relationships across complex service categories - from infrastructure to ICT. Yet many operate without a clear, consistent approach to contract management. In 2022, Tribus Advisory was engaged by an Australian government business unit to address this challenge head-on: to develop and implement a fit-for-purpose contract management framework, complete with policies, tools, and training to embed lasting capability.

This project marked a pivotal shift for the client, moving from reactive contract oversight to a proactive, performance-driven model built around accountability, consistency, and value realisation.

From Gap Analysis to Framework Design

Our first step was to understand the maturity of existing practices. Tribus Advisory conducted a full diagnostic of the business unit’s contract portfolio, stakeholder roles, and supporting systems. What we found was common across many public entities: contracts being managed in silos, limited visibility of obligations, and inconsistent approaches to risk and supplier performance.

We delivered a maturity assessment aligned with best practice (including ISO 44001 and AS 8000 standards), clearly mapping current state, priority gaps, and achievable improvement targets. This guided the development of a Contract Management Framework tailored to the unique context of the business unit - not just a generic model.

Policy, Process and Practical Implementation

To bring the framework to life, we developed a suite of aligned policies and procedures, including:

• Contract Handover and Mobilisation Guidelines

• Supplier Performance Review Procedures

• Contract Variation and Extension Policies

• Roles and Responsibilities Matrix for Contract Owners

• Escalation and Dispute Management Protocols

Crucially, Tribus Advisory didn’t stop at documentation. We worked alongside internal teams to embed the framework into BAU processes through targeted training, stakeholder engagement workshops, and the development of easy-to-use contract management templates and dashboards.

By building capability - not dependency - we ensured the framework was not only understood, but owned by internal stakeholders.

A Platform for Strategic Outcomes

The business unit now operates with a clear, risk-adjusted approach to managing its $400M+ supplier portfolio. Contract performance reviews are regular, disputes are resolved more efficiently, and procurement planning is better informed by past contract insights. Governance has shifted from compliance-focused to value-focused.

Perhaps most importantly, the client now has a model that scales - capable of supporting future strategic sourcing initiatives, complex multi-party contracts, and evolving public sector policy mandates.

Tribus Advisory brings deep expertise in public sector contract governance. Our tailored frameworks turn inconsistent practices into structured, strategic management systems - setting government clients up for sustainable success.