Activity Summary
One-paragraph objective, scope, and success metrics that explain why the activity exists and how success will be measured.
A consistent play template reduces ambiguity in task handoffs, clarifies ownership, and shortens decision cycles by embedding required inputs, outputs, and approval gates into a single document.
Teams and roles that use the template range from project managers to compliance officers; the template helps unify planning across departments.
Completed templates serve as operational records for performance reviews, process improvement, and regulatory inspections where applicable.
The primary approver who confirms resource availability, timeline feasibility, and final acceptance criteria. This person verifies the template is complete before execution and signs off on any scope changes.
A senior manager who reviews risks, budget implications, and compliance items. Their signature indicates authorization to proceed and confirms alignment with organizational policies.
One-paragraph objective, scope, and success metrics that explain why the activity exists and how success will be measured.
Named owners, secondary contacts, and their duties, escalation paths, and approval authorities to avoid handoff confusion.
Numbered actions with inputs, outputs, decision points, and required artifacts for each step to drive repeatable execution.
Start and end dates, milestone checkpoints, and expected durations for critical tasks to monitor progress.
Identified risks, mitigating controls, owner of the control, and evidence requirements for audits or reviews.
measurable deliverables, validation tests, or sign-off conditions that define when the activity is complete.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Approval Order | Sequential or parallel routing; sequential recommended for dependent tasks |
| Signer Authentication | Email link by default; use SMS or KBA for higher-assurance steps |
| Retention Tagging | Apply record type and retention period metadata on completion |
| Notifications | Enable reminders at configurable intervals until signed |
Ensure the platform you use supports required integrations, file formats, and authentication methods before digitizing the template.
Produces an immutable snapshot with embedded audit information; preferred for archival and audit review.
Useful for editing or templating but requires careful version control to preserve final signed copy.
Best for activities that require tabular checklists, metrics tracking, or calculated fields.
Include supporting exhibits, logs, and evidence files as separate linked attachments with metadata.
Date the play becomes active; affects start of obligations
Target completion dates for key checkpoints
Last date approvers may sign without delaying execution
Date that starts retention and archival calculations
Periodic review date for play updates
Template drafted, inputs listed, and initial owners assigned.
Senior approvers review risks and resources and provide authorization to proceed.
Assigned teams perform steps and submit evidence for milestone checks.
Acceptance criteria validated and final signatures recorded.
| Criteria | Business Play | Project Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | operational repeatable tasks | broad project delivery |
| Level of Detail | task-level steps | milestone and phase focus |
| Signatures | operational approvals | formal sponsor approvals |
| Use Case | day-to-day procedures | multi-month initiatives |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |