Why Prioritize Creating a Playbook
Are you tired of the pile of contracts waiting for your review? Is your team constantly being asked to turn contracts faster? Are there approval bottlenecks slowing down contract reviews for issues that have arisen again and again? Creating a playbook is akin to sharpening your ax before you go to cut down a tree. It helps you get the job of contract review done in less time and with more consistency because it offers:
- Scalability and Upskilling. Imagine onboarding a new team member and having them contribute effectively within days, not months. By documenting issues, approved positions, and the reasoning behind these positions, a playbook serves as a central knowledge hub. It empowers the entire team (and other departments) to independently handle common scenarios with confidence. This not only upskills junior team members but also alleviates the burden on senior staff.
- Consistency Across the Board: Inconsistent contract positions can weaken your negotiating power and cause friction between departments. A playbook standardizes your approach, ensuring that every team member speaks with one voice, strengthening your company's negotiating stance and building trust both internally and externally.
- Technological Efficiencies: A well-structured playbook is not just a document-it’s a tool that can be integrated with contract automation software. Contract automation software can enable your team to focus on strategic tasks, knowing that the routine decisions are handled efficiently.
A Non-Overwhelming Path To Creating a Playbook
You know the value of a playbook, but getting started might still feel daunting. The good news is, you don't have to tackle everything at once. Whether you decide to hire a vendor like Dioptra or take the DIY route, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a playbook without feeling overwhelmed.
- Start by downloading our ready-to-use template and use it to set up a basic structure-categories, subcategories, and, if applicable, your standard contract language for each subcategory (30 min).
- Dedicate just one hour to a stream-of-consciousness exercise. Populate your playbook with issues that come to mind. Don’t worry about being exhaustive or perfect in this first iteration-this is a living document that you will refine over time (1 hour).
- Each time you review a new contract (5 min):
- Spend five minutes adding any new issues that arise and aren’t already in your playbook.
- When you escalate an issue, record the resolution in your playbook (after confirming that it can be reused).
- If you work with a team, encourage them to do the same. Over time, this collective effort will turn your playbook into a comprehensive resource.
Remember, creating a playbook is a journey, not a sprint. Start small, keep it simple, and watch as your team becomes more efficient and aligned. Ready to sharpen your ax? Download our template and take the first step today.
Resources
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Laurie Ehrlich
Chief Legal Officer
