Question 1

How long does a typical contract migration project take?

Accepted Answer

The timeline can vary significantly based on the volume and complexity of your contracts, as well as the quality of your existing data. A small project with a few hundred well-organized contracts might take a few weeks, while a large enterprise with tens of thousands of contracts scattered across multiple systems could take six months or more. The planning and data cleansing phases often take the most time.

Question 2

What kind of team do I need to assemble for a contract migration?

Accepted Answer

A successful contract migration requires a cross-functional team. You'll typically need a project lead, along with representatives from Legal (to interpret contract language), IT (to handle technical extraction and integration), Procurement and Sales (as the primary contract owners), and Finance (to validate financial data).

Question 3

Can I migrate contracts that are not in English?

Accepted Answer

Yes, advanced AI-powered CLM platforms can handle contracts in multiple languages. When selecting a solution, be sure to verify its multilingual capabilities and the accuracy of its data extraction for the specific languages in your portfolio.

Question 4

What happens to paper contracts during migration?

Accepted Answer

Paper contracts need to be digitized before they can be migrated. This involves a process of scanning the documents and converting them into text-searchable digital files using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. This is a critical step for creating a truly comprehensive digital repository.

Question 5

Is it better to migrate all contracts at once or in phases?

Accepted Answer

For most organizations, a phased approach is recommended. You might start with a specific contract type (e.g., all master services agreements) or contracts from a single department. This allows you to refine your process, learn valuable lessons on a smaller scale, and demonstrate early wins before tackling the entire portfolio.

Question 6

How does contract migration improve compliance audits?

Accepted Answer

By consolidating agreements into a centralized, structured repository, audits move from manual, weeks-long exercises to quick, data-driven checks. Key terms, obligations, and dates are instantly retrievable.

Question 7

What role does AI play in accelerating contract migration timelines?

Accepted Answer

AI automates the extraction of metadata and clauses, reducing months of manual review to days. It also improves accuracy by standardizing how data is captured and classified.

Question 8

Can contract migration reduce costs for procurement teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By surfacing supplier terms, pricing commitments, and renewal windows, procurement teams can negotiate better deals, avoid overpayments, and prevent auto-renewals of unfavorable contracts.

Question 9

What’s the difference between contract migration and contract digitization?

Accepted Answer

Digitization is the process of converting paper contracts into digital files. Migration goes further by enriching those files with metadata, obligations, and clauses—turning them into searchable, strategic assets.

topics

Resources

Your Ultimate Contract Management Resources

The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Contracts in Finance and Real Estate

RESOURCES & TOPICS

Contract Metadata: Turning Your Agreements from Static Documents into Strategic Assets

The Contract Abstraction Process: Turning Legal Documents into Business Intelligence

Contract Expiration Explained: Risks, Mistakes, and How to Stay Ahead

Third-Party Contracts: A Practical Guide for Modern Business

Understanding Contract Risk: A Complete Guide for Enterprise Legal and Procurement Teams

What is a Contract Variation? How to Manage Changes Effectively in Business Contracts

General Counsel vs. Legal Counsel: Which Does Your Business Really Need?

What Are Contract Insights? Unlocking Business Value with CLM

Contract Deliverables Explained: How to Define, Track, and Deliver Outcomes

The Ultimate Guide to Contract Governance: From Blueprint to Business Value

Frustration of Contract: Your Action Plan When Deals Go Sideways

Master the Contract Preparation Process: The Ultimate Pre-Flight Checklist