CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Procurement occupies a unique position within the corporate structure, functioning as the intersection where strategic value creation meets operational efficiency. Because the function directly influences costs, supply risk and resilience, it has become the ideal testing ground for autonomous and AI-driven systems that balance massive scale with necessary human oversight.
As we move through 2026, the industry is witnessing a fundamental pivot. The focus has shifted from merely housing documents in digital repositories to extracting“ agentic” intelligence that actively manages vendor obligations.
Recent research from Deloitte highlights the urgency of this transition, revealing that poor agreement management costs a staggering US $ 2tn in global economic value annually.
The economics of inefficiency Contracts represent one of the supply chain’ s largest sources of hidden value loss. Inconsistent clauses, poor visibility into risky terms and the prevalence of manual reviews create compliance gaps that erode margins. Research from Glean indicates that these inefficiencies can erode nearly 9 % of annual revenue while simultaneously slowing cycle times. By embedding autonomy across sourcing and contract management, organisations can capture and sustain value that was previously considered“ lost”.
146 June 2026