Sanderson, entering his third year as Crows coach, is contracted at West Lakes until the end of the 2014 season.
But in an interview on radio station FIVEaa, Chapman said the wheels were already in motion to ensure he remained at the club beyond next year.
Chapman was impressed by Sanderson's "warts and all" self-assessment at the end of a disappointing 2013 campaign.
"(CEO) Steven Trigg's got it on his agenda and I think he might have already had one discussion with Sando or his management… We want it done soonish, but there's no hurry," Chapman said.
"We do a review of the coach at the end of the season and Sando walked in and put it on the table, warts and all.
"He said, 'Here's what we did well and here's what we didn't … and here's what I'm going to do to improve it and you can hold me to account for this'.
"Geez, it was a mature discussion … and I know he's very enthused about the program of work in place for the players when they start up on November 6."
Earlier in the season Sanderson said he'd be "thrilled" to re-sign with the club before his current contract expired.
But he insisted it wasn't a pressing issue and if a deal wasn't struck until next year it wouldn't worry him.
"The relationship's really strong [with the club], I really like it here, I've become quickly attached to this young group," Sanderson said.
"If the club says to me they'd like to extend my contract I'd certainly sit down with them, but whether it's the end of this year or the end of next year, it's no real issue for me."
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
