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How to Choose Contract Management Software

Phil Gray
By
Phil Gray
Phil Gray COO of Black & White Zebra

Philip Gray is the COO of Black and White Zebra and Founding Editor of The RevOps Team. A business renaissance man with his hands in many departmental pies, he is an advocate of centralized data management, holistic planning, and process automation. It's this love for data and all things revenue operations landed him the role as resident big brain for The RevOps Team.

With 10+ years of experience in leadership and operations in industries that include biotechnology, healthcare, logistics, and SaaS, he applies a considerable broad scope of experience in business that lets him see the big picture. An unapologetic buzzword apologist, you can often find him double clicking, drilling down, and unpacking all the things.

More about Philip
Last updated on Oct 9, 2025
QUICK SUMMARY

Choosing the right contract management software saves time, boosts accuracy, and ensures compliance, all while maximizing ROI. Pick the wrong one, and you risk inefficiencies, errors, and compliance issues.

TABLE OF CONTENTS What to Look For in Contract Management Software Step 1: Identify Your Needs Step 2: Research Vendors Step 3: Make a Shortlist Step 4: Build the Business Case Step 5: Implement and Onboard
featured image of what to look for in contract management software
Key Takeaways

Plan Flexibility: Look for contract management software that allows easy upgrades or downgrades as team needs change.

Data Access: Utilize robust reporting features for real-time analytics and ensure easy integration with existing systems.

Customization: Choose software that offers templates and configurations to enhance user experience and meet specific requirements.

Automation Benefits: Prioritize solutions with automation features to improve efficiency and streamline contract management processes.

Onboarding Support: Evaluate the quality of customer support and training resources during the onboarding phase to facilitate user adoption.

Contract management software is a tool that helps organizations create, store, track, and manage contracts throughout their lifecycle—streamlining everything from approvals to renewals.

For CROs, it’s crucial because it reduces bottlenecks in the sales process, ensures compliance, and provides real-time visibility into deal terms and obligations.

Choosing the right solution means prioritizing automation, integration with CRM and CPQ tools, and scalability, so your team can close deals faster, reduce risks, and improve profitability.

This guide is for teams looking to simplify their contract processes. Whether you're just starting or upgrading, this will help you make an informed choice.

9 Things to Look for When Choosing Contract Management Software

Evaluating contract management software means examining key factors that align with your team’s needs and goals.

Here’s what to consider:

1. Plan Flexibility

deel pricing plan screenshot
Easily compare plans and pick the best fit for your team with Deel.

Plan flexibility lets you upgrade or downgrade as your needs change. Look for a contract management solution with flexible pricing plans. Ask vendors about their models and how they accommodate scaling teams.

2. Data Access and Reporting

An overview of the Docusign reports dashboard
Gain insights with DocuSign's reporting features.

You’ll need dashboards, custom reporting, and real-time analytics to track contract data. Confirm audit trails and exports to Google Drive, Microsoft Excel, or your CRM.

3. Integration with Your Tech Stack

Strong integrations are critical: Salesforce, ERP, DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and more. A sound contract management system eliminates silos and supports automated workflows.

4. Onboarding and Support

dealhub onboarding and support screenshot
DealHub makes onboarding easy with built-in support resources.

Look for responsive customer support, training, and clear notifications during the onboarding process. Test support channels and resources.

5. Role-Based Permissions

Granular permissions and user roles help secure sensitive data and ensure GDPR compliance. This is especially important for legal teams.

6. Industry-Specific Compliance

If you’re in healthcare, financial services, or supply chain management, confirm certifications and regulatory updates, as well as audit trails for compliance.

7. Customization Options

Tailor the platform with templates, custom fields, and user-friendly configurations. Focus on improving user experience and flexibility.

8. Automation Features

Gatekeepr automation features overview
Automate tasks in Gatekeeper to save time and boost efficiency.

Look for AI-powered contract management solutions that incorporate OCR, contract intelligence, and automated contract review capabilities. Ensure e-signature/electronic signature integrations.

9. Mobile or Multi-Location Support

Ensure secure access to digital contract data, notifications, and audit trails on mobile devices—test for a smooth user interface.

How to Choose Contract Management Software: A 5-Step Framework

To find the right CLM software, align your tool with your team’s workflows and processes. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Identify Your Needs

  • Gather Stakeholder Input: Include IT, finance, sales, and general counsel for contract creation and contract drafting needs.
  • List and Prioritize Pain Points: Identify bottlenecks, missing notifications, and siloed access to contract repositories.
  • Align With Internal Policies: Validate permissions and security standards.
  • Differentiate Must-Have Features: Examples: dashboards, e-signature, and integrations with CRM/ERP.

Step 2: Research Contract Management Software Vendors

  • Use review sites and Gartner reports to shortlist providers like Ironclad, Conga, and DocuSign CLM.
  • Compare SaaS vs on-prem, all-in-one suites, and end-to-end workflows.
  • Document findings: pricing, features, contract repository, audit trails.
  • See our Top Contract Management Software list below.

Step 3: Make a Contract Management Software Shortlist and Reach Out

  • Send RFPs focusing on contract lifecycle management features.
  • Test end-to-end workflows, redline, eSignature, and new contract creation from Salesforce.
  • Evaluate user-friendly design and customer support quality.

Step 4: Build the Business Case

  • Tie cycle-time bottlenecks and revenue risk to missed contract execution.
  • Present pricing plans and ROI projections.
  • Highlight contract intelligence and automation benefits.

Step 5: Implement Your Contract Management Software and Onboard Your Users

  • Communicate rollout timelines to sales teams, procurement, and legal teams.
  • Assign owners for templates, permissions, and workspace setup.
  • Track adoption via real-time metrics on dashboards.

What’s Next

If you're in the process of researching contract management software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations. You’ll get:

  • A curated shortlist of CLM software.
  • Support through the buying process, including pricing negotiations.
  • Guidance for mapping integrations with CRM, ERP, and eSignature platforms.
Phil Gray
By Phil Gray

Philip Gray is the COO of Black and White Zebra and Founding Editor of The RevOps Team. A business renaissance man with his hands in many departmental pies, he is an advocate of centralized data management, holistic planning, and process automation. It's this love for data and all things revenue operations landed him the role as resident big brain for The RevOps Team.

With 10+ years of experience in leadership and operations in industries that include biotechnology, healthcare, logistics, and SaaS, he applies a considerable broad scope of experience in business that lets him see the big picture. An unapologetic buzzword apologist, you can often find him double clicking, drilling down, and unpacking all the things.

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