Contracting for Maintenance Excellence

INTRODUCTION

In an era where operational reliability and cost control are essential, organizations are increasingly turning to strategic maintenance contracting as a solution to improve performance and reduce risks. However, excellence in maintenance cannot be achieved through outsourcing alone—it requires intelligent contracting, clear service expectations, and effective performance management.

This Contracting for Maintenance Excellence training course equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to design, implement, and manage maintenance contracts that align with asset performance goals and organizational strategy. The course goes beyond the basics to explore best practices in contract structuring, vendor selection, SLA development, and performance evaluation—ensuring that outsourcing decisions contribute to long-term operational excellence.

Participants will explore real-world scenarios, engage in group-based contract development, and gain practical skills in negotiation and performance control that drive service quality, compliance, and value for money.

Key learning topics include:

• What to outsource and how to make smart contracting decisions

• Structuring contracts that promote reliability, uptime, and cost control

• Selecting the right vendors through modern tendering techniques

• Crafting Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Negotiation tactics and contract implementation strategies

• Managing ongoing contractor performance and continuous improvement

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Identify which maintenance activities should be outsourced or kept in-house

• Develop and negotiate performance-based maintenance contracts

• Apply best practices for writing, structuring, and managing contracts

• Select and manage maintenance service providers effectively

• Define clear service levels and monitor contractor performance

• Evaluate and improve vendor performance using KPIs and scorecards

• Avoid pitfalls and mitigate contract risks

• Contribute to asset performance and business excellence through smart contracting

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This course is highly practical and interactive. It combines:

• Instructor-led lectures

• Real-life case studies

• Group workshops and simulations

• Role plays focused on contract negotiation

• Peer-to-peer discussions

• Development of a model maintenance contract in teams

Participants will walk away with actionable strategies and templates that can be applied in their own organizations.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT

Organizations will benefit through:

• Improved asset reliability and maintenance outcomes

• Cost-effective service delivery through smarter outsourcing

• Stronger contractor relationships and reduced disputes

• Risk mitigation through well-defined contracts

• Enhanced contract governance and supplier accountability

• Increased return on maintenance investments

PERSONAL IMPACT

Participants will gain:

• A deeper understanding of contracting principles for maintenance

• The ability to analyze, plan, and improve maintenance contract strategies

• Stronger negotiation and vendor management capabilities

• Increased confidence in writing and managing SLAs

• A valuable set of templates and frameworks to use at work

• Skills that support career advancement in maintenance, asset, or procurement roles

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is ideal for professionals involved in the procurement, planning, or execution of outsourced maintenance services, including:

• Maintenance Managers and Engineers

• Procurement and Contract Managers

• Asset and Facility Managers

• Project Engineers

• Supply Chain and Operations Professionals

• Anyone involved in vendor or contractor management for maintenance services

COURSE OUTLINE

DAY 1 – Foundations of Maintenance Contracting

• The link between asset performance and maintenance contracting

• What to outsource: strategic considerations

• Cost, quality, and risk trade-offs in outsourcing

• Defining roles and responsibilities in outsourced maintenance

• Maintenance contracting trends and industry benchmarks

DAY 2 – Contract Types, SLAs & KPIs

• Types of maintenance contracts (lump sum, time-based, performance-based)

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): what to include and why

• Developing measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Balanced scorecard approach to contractor performance

• Tendering and contractor selection

DAY 3 – Contract Development & Vendor Management

• The contract lifecycle: from planning to performance

• Defining service levels, roles, and penalties

• Building contracts that align with maintenance strategies

• Vendor qualification and onboarding

• Implementing a vendor management framework

DAY 4 – Negotiation & Risk Management

• Preventive maintenance vs. performance-based negotiation

• Seven steps to develop a risk-based maintenance approach

• Negotiation techniques for maintenance contracts

• Managing expectations and accountability

• Dealing with common negotiation challenges and pitfalls

DAY 5 – Simulation Workshop & Wrap-up

• Group project: design a full maintenance contract

• Define service scope, SLAs, and KPIs

• Present, negotiate, and finalize a sample contract

• Evaluate team performance and outcomes

• Course summary, feedback, and personal action plans

CERTIFICATES

Upon successful completion of this training course, participants will receive:

• Certificate of Completion

• CPD Certification in accordance with global standards (1 CPE credit per 50 minutes of training)

ENQUIRIES

📧 Email: admin@keleaders.com
📱 WhatsApp: +44 790 125 9494
🌐 Website: www.keleaders.com