---
artifact: semantic-blueprint
blueprint_version: "3.0"
license: MIT
system_name: Contract Authoring
tagline: Assemble new contracts fast from a library of approved clauses and templates.
description: |
  Build new agreements from pre-approved language instead of starting from a blank page. Pull clauses and templates from a maintained library, assemble a draft, and route it through legal and business review with a clear approval trail.

  Versioning and approval states keep the clause and template library trustworthy, so every new contract starts from terms the organization has already agreed it can stand behind.
system_slug: clm-authoring
domain_modules:
  - clm-authoring
domain_code: CLM
icon_name: file-pen
related_modules: [clm-negotiation, clm-obligation-mgmt, clm-renewal, clm-repository, cpq-approvals-contracts]
persona: [CONTRACT-OPS-MANAGER, CONTRACT-OPS-SPECIALIST, LEGAL-COUNSEL]
created_at: 2026-06-27
---

# Contract Authoring

## 1. Overview

Template-driven contract drafting with the approved clause library. Masters contract_templates and contract_clauses; produces draft legal_contracts that flow into CLM-NEGOTIATION. Realizes CLM-CONTRACT-AUTHORING and CLM-CLAUSE-LIBRARY-MGMT.

## 2. Entity summary

| Name | data_object | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clause Libraries | `clause_libraries` | Versioned, governed collections of approved contract clauses, often organized by jurisdiction or contract type, that authors draw from. |
| Contract Clauses | `contract_clauses` | Reusable clause library with preferred and fallback language for terms like indemnification, IP, termination, and payment. |
| Contract Templates | `contract_templates` | Pre-approved contract templates such as NDAs, MSAs, and SOWs, assembled from the clause library to author new contracts. |
| CPQ Contract Drafts | `contract_drafts` | Draft contracts handed off from an approved quote, the precursor to a signed contract. |
| Sourcing Events | `sourcing_events` | Competitive bidding processes (RFI, RFQ, RFP, or reverse auction), tracking scope, suppliers, scorecards, responses, and the awarded supplier. |

```mermaid
flowchart TD
  classDef master fill:#d4f4dd,stroke:#27ae60,color:#0b3d20;
  classDef consumer fill:#e8def8,stroke:#7b1fa2,color:#3a155d;
  classDef platform_builtin fill:#e0e0e0,stroke:#424242,color:#1a1a1a;
  contract_templates["Contract Templates"]
  contract_clauses["Contract Clauses"]
  sourcing_events["Sourcing Events"]
  contract_drafts["CPQ Contract Drafts"]
  clause_libraries["Clause Libraries"]
  users["Users"]
  contract_templates -->|"defines"| contract_clauses
  contract_templates -->|"published_to"| contract_drafts
  clause_libraries -->|"contains"| contract_clauses
  users -->|"manages sourcing events"| sourcing_events
  users -->|"owns"| contract_templates
  users -->|"approved"| contract_templates
  users -->|"approved"| contract_clauses
  class contract_templates master;
  class contract_clauses master;
  class sourcing_events consumer;
  class contract_drafts consumer;
  class clause_libraries master;
  class users platform_builtin;
  style contract_drafts stroke-dasharray:5 5;
  style clause_libraries stroke-dasharray:5 5;
```

## 3. Entities catalog

| # | data_object | canonical code | singular | plural | role | mastered in | mastered label | necessity | personal_content | entity_type | write tier | notes |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | `clause_libraries` | `clause_libraries` | Clause Library | Clause Libraries | master | - | - | optional | - | catalog | `:admin` | - |
| 2 | `contract_clauses` | `contract_clauses` | Contract Clause | Contract Clauses | master | - | - | required | - | catalog | `:admin` | - |
| 3 | `contract_templates` | `contract_templates` | Contract Template | Contract Templates | master | - | - | required | - | catalog | `:admin` | - |
| 4 | `contract_drafts` | `contract_drafts` | CPQ Contract Draft | CPQ Contract Drafts | consumer | `cpq-approvals-contracts` | Approvals and Contract Drafts | optional | - | operational_workflow | `:manage` | - |
| 5 | `sourcing_events` | `sourcing_events` | Sourcing Event | Sourcing Events | consumer | - | - | required | - | operational_workflow | `:manage` | - |

## 4. Aliases and industry synonyms

_(none: no industry-scoped aliases for this scope)_

## 5. Relationships

### 5.1 Intra-scope edges

| from | verb | to | cardinality | kind | necessity | owner_side | delete_mode | fk_format | notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `contract_templates` | defines | `contract_clauses` | one_to_many | composition | optional | source | cascade | parent | - |
| `contract_templates` | published_to | `contract_drafts` | one_to_many | reference | optional | source | clear | reference | - |
| `clause_libraries` | contains | `contract_clauses` | one_to_many | composition | optional | source | cascade | parent | - |

### 5.2 Built-in edges (`users` and other platform built-ins)

| from | verb | to | cardinality | necessity | owner_side | delete_mode | fk_format | notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `users` | manages sourcing events | `sourcing_events` | one_to_many | optional | source | clear | reference | - |
| `users` | owns | `contract_templates` | one_to_many | optional | source | clear | reference | - |
| `users` | approved | `contract_templates` | one_to_many | optional | source | clear | reference | - |
| `users` | approved | `contract_clauses` | one_to_many | optional | source | clear | reference | - |

### 5.3 Cross-scope edges

#### 5.3a Outbound from this scope's masters and contributors

_Edges this scope drives: the in-scope endpoint has `role` of `master` or `contributor`._

| from | verb | to | cardinality | necessity | delete_mode | fk_format | notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `contract_templates` | seeds | `legal_contracts` | one_to_many | optional | none | n/a | - |
| `legal_contracts` | contains | `contract_clauses` | one_to_many | optional | none | n/a | - |
| `negotiation_playbooks` | defines positions for | `contract_clauses` | one_to_many | optional | none | n/a | - |

#### 5.3b Context edges on embedded shells and consumed entities

_Edges the canonical owner drives, shown for context: the in-scope endpoint has `role` of `embedded_master`, `consumer`, or `derived`._

| from | verb | to | cardinality | necessity | delete_mode | fk_format | notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `sourcing_events` | originates | `legal_contracts` | one_to_many | optional | none | n/a | - |
| `contract_drafts` | drafts | `legal_contracts` | one_to_many | optional | none | n/a | - |
| `suppliers` | enables | `sourcing_events` | one_to_many | optional | none | n/a | - |

## 6. Cross-domain context

### 6.1 Master consumers (other modules / domains that embed this scope's masters)

_(none: no other module embeds this scope's masters; the canonical owners do.)_

### 6.2 Outbound handoffs (events this scope publishes)

| source module | target domain | target module | trigger_event | transition | payload | integration | friction | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CLM-AUTHORING | CPQ | CPQ-APPROVALS-CONTRACTS | `contract_template.published` | _(state_change)_ | `contract_templates` | api_call | medium | New approved template available to CPQ for contract-draft generation. |

### 6.3 Inbound handoffs (events this scope reacts to)

| target module | source domain | source module | trigger_event | transition | payload | integration | friction | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CLM-AUTHORING | CLM | CLM-NEGOTIATION | `contract_clause.flagged` | _(state_change)_ | `contract_clauses` | lifecycle_progression | medium | Clause flagged during negotiation (counterparty pushed back, non-standard language detected, missing protection) is routed back to the authoring/library team for review. Library team decides whether the flag warrants a new approved variant or a clarification on the existing clause. |
| CLM-AUTHORING | S2P | _(domain-level)_ | `sourcing_event.awarded` | _(state_change)_ | `sourcing_events` | event_stream | low | Award triggers contract drafting in CLM with the chosen supplier. |
| CLM-AUTHORING | CPQ | CPQ-APPROVALS-CONTRACTS | `contract_draft.generated` | _(state_change)_ | `contract_drafts` | api_call | medium | CPQ-generated contract draft handed off to CLM for clause assembly and signature routing. Friction when CPQ's term language doesn't match approved CLM templates. |

### 6.4 Master providers (modules / domains that own masters this scope embeds)

| data_object | role here | necessity | canonical owner(s) | slice notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `contract_drafts` | consumer | optional | CPQ-APPROVALS-CONTRACTS (CPQ) | - |
| `sourcing_events` | consumer | required | _(no canonical owner recorded)_ | - |

## 7. Lifecycle states

### `contract_clauses` (Contract Clause)

| order | state_name | initial? | terminal? | requires_permission? | derived gate | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10 | `draft` | ✓ | - | - | - | Clause authored but not yet reviewed. Cannot be selected for new contracts. |
| 20 | `in_review` | - | - | - | - | Clause routed to the legal panel for review. |
| 30 | `approved` | - | - | ✓ | `clm-authoring:approve_contract_clause` | Clause approved for use in contract authoring. |
| 40 | `published` | - | - | - | - | Clause available in the library for selection by authors. Locked from edits; supersession requires a new version. |
| 50 | `deprecated` | - | ✓ | ✓ | `clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_clause` | Clause withdrawn from the library; existing contracts retain it but new authoring cannot select it. Terminal. |

### `contract_drafts` (CPQ Contract Draft)

_This scope holds `contract_drafts` as **consumer**; the canonical state machine is owned by `CPQ-APPROVALS-CONTRACTS`._

| order | state_name | initial? | terminal? | requires_permission? | derived gate | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | `draft` | ✓ | - | - | - | Draft contract assembled from an approved quote. |
| 2 | `in_review` | - | - | - | - | Legal/desk review of clauses, terms, and exceptions. |
| 3 | `signed` | - | - | - | - | Counter-signatures collected from both parties. |
| 4 | `executed` | - | - | - | - | Contract effective and handed off to CLM/billing. |
| 5 | `expired` | - | ✓ | - | - | Contract term elapsed without renewal. |
| 6 | `terminated` | - | ✓ | - | - | Contract ended early by either party. |

### `contract_templates` (Contract Template)

| order | state_name | initial? | terminal? | requires_permission? | derived gate | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10 | `draft` | ✓ | - | - | - | Template authored but not yet reviewed. Cannot be used for new contracts. |
| 20 | `in_review` | - | - | - | - | Template routed to the legal panel for review. |
| 30 | `approved` | - | - | ✓ | `clm-authoring:approve_contract_template` | Template approved for publication. |
| 40 | `published` | - | - | - | - | Template available in the library; authors can instantiate new contracts from it. Locked from edits. |
| 50 | `deprecated` | - | ✓ | ✓ | `clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_template` | Template withdrawn from the library; existing in-flight drafts retain it but new authoring cannot select it. Terminal. |

### `sourcing_events` (Sourcing Event)

_This scope holds `sourcing_events` as **consumer**; the canonical state machine is owned by _(no canonical master found)_._

| order | state_name | initial? | terminal? | requires_permission? | derived gate | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | `draft` | ✓ | - | - | - | Sourcing event being scoped: requirements, supplier list, scorecard weighting. |
| 2 | `published` | - | - | - | - | Event released to invited suppliers; responses can now be collected. |
| 3 | `in_progress` | - | - | - | - | Suppliers are actively submitting responses or bids. |
| 4 | `bidding_closed` | - | - | - | - | Response window has closed; sourcing team is evaluating submissions. |
| 5 | `awarded` | - | ✓ | ✓ | - | Winning supplier selected; outcome feeds CLM contract creation. |
| 6 | `canceled` | - | ✓ | - | - | Event terminated without award. |

## 8. Permissions and business rules (derived)

### 8.1 Permissions

| permission | tier | description | included in `:admin`? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `clm-authoring:read` | baseline-read | Read access to every entity in the module | ✓ |
| `clm-authoring:manage` | baseline-manage | Edit operational records | ✓ |
| `clm-authoring:admin` | baseline-admin | Edit reference data and inherit every workflow gate below | - |
| `clm-authoring:approve_contract_clause` | workflow-gate (lifecycle) | Transition `contract_clauses` into state `approved` | ✓ |
| `clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_clause` | workflow-gate (lifecycle) | Transition `contract_clauses` into state `deprecated` | ✓ |
| `clm-authoring:approve_contract_template` | workflow-gate (lifecycle) | Transition `contract_templates` into state `approved` | ✓ |
| `clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_template` | workflow-gate (lifecycle) | Transition `contract_templates` into state `deprecated` | ✓ |

### 8.2 Business rules

_(none: no flag-derived business rules)_

## 9. Roles, RACI, and responsibilities (derived)

_Baseline roles, the permission hierarchy, and RACI realization are DERIVED from this scope's entity-type write tiers + `process_raci`; none of it is stored in the catalog (the deployer provisions it from this blueprint)._

### 9.1 `CLM-AUTHORING`

**Baseline roles:**

| role | baseline grant |
| --- | --- |
| `clm-authoring_viewer` | `clm-authoring:read` |
| `clm-authoring_manager` | `clm-authoring:manage` |
| `clm-authoring_admin` | `clm-authoring:admin` |

**Permission hierarchy:**

| permission | includes |
| --- | --- |
| `clm-authoring:admin` | `clm-authoring:manage` |
| `clm-authoring:manage` | `clm-authoring:read` |
| `clm-authoring:admin` | `clm-authoring:approve_contract_clause` |
| `clm-authoring:admin` | `clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_clause` |
| `clm-authoring:admin` | `clm-authoring:approve_contract_template` |
| `clm-authoring:admin` | `clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_template` |

**Processes wired:**

| process_key | process_name | PCF code | PCF ID | level | description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `provide_legal_advice_counseling` | Provide legal advice/counseling | 12.4.8 | 11051 | 3 | Providing legal advice concerning the substance or procedure of a law in relation to a particular situation. |

**RACI realization:**

| actor | kind | raci | process_key | realization |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `LEGAL-COUNSEL` | persona | responsible | `provide_legal_advice_counseling` | grant gates [clm-authoring:approve_contract_clause, clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_clause, clm-authoring:approve_contract_template, clm-authoring:deprecate_contract_template] + the gated entities' write tier |
| `CONTRACT-OPS-MANAGER` | persona | accountable | `provide_legal_advice_counseling` | approval gate |
| `CONTRACT-OPS-SPECIALIST` | persona | informed | `provide_legal_advice_counseling` | notification side effect (trigger_event / webhook_receiver) |

### 9.2 Functional ownership and default grants

| responsibility | business function | default role | default tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| owner | Contract Operations | `admin` | `:admin` |
| contributor | Procurement | `manage` | `:manage` |
| contributor | Sales | `manage` | `:manage` |