Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “track where every contract is in review and signing”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

30 min
typically, every day
65%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Track contracts through a CLM workflow with a live status view

A contract lifecycle tool shows each contract's stage, owner and what it is waiting on, so status questions answer themselves.

Typically saves about 55% of the time8 h to set up
  1. 1Choose a CLM sized for you: Ironclad, DocuSign CLM, Juro, SpotDraft, Concord or Agiloft.
  2. 2Set stages (requested, drafting, negotiating, approvals, signing, signed).
  3. 3Connect it to your CRM so sales can see status on the deal.
  4. 4Share the status dashboard instead of answering "where is my contract?".

Tools: Ironclad · DocuSign CLM · Juro · SpotDraft · Concord · Agiloft

Fix 2 of 2

Software feature

Put one front door on legal requests

A single intake form or legal queue, with the questions you always ask, replaces requests by email, chat and hallway, and shows what is waiting.

Typically saves about 35% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1List your request types (NDA, contract review, quick question, dispute).
  2. 2Build an intake form in your CLM (Ironclad, Juro), Jira Service Management, a Slack or Teams workflow, or Microsoft Forms.
  3. 3Ask for the basics up front: counterparty, value, deadline, contract attached.
  4. 4Publish turnaround times by request type.

Tools: Ironclad or Juro intake · Jira Service Management · Slack Workflow Builder or Microsoft Forms · Checkbox or Tonkean

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Contract managerParalegal / legal operations

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

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Other common tasks for Contract managers