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Business Intentions Plan

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BUSINESS INTENTIONS PLAN

Parties and Effective Date

Effective Date:

Recitals

WHEREAS, Party A is engaged in the business of and has experience and capacity to perform the services described below;

WHEREAS, Party B desires to engage Party A to undertake certain planning, advisory and preliminary work to evaluate and implement the contemplated business activities described herein, and Party A is willing to undertake such work under the terms of this Business Intentions Plan;

WHEREAS, the parties intend that this document sets forth their mutual understanding regarding scope, payment, confidentiality and other material terms for the anticipated relationship pending execution of any definitive agreement.

Scope of Work

The services, deliverables and milestones to be provided by Party A to Party B are set forth below. Party A shall perform the work with commercially reasonable skill and in accordance with industry standards.

Payment Terms

As consideration for the Scope of Work, Party B shall pay Party A in accordance with the following terms.

Payment Method:

If any undisputed amount remains unpaid beyond the due date, interest shall accrue at the lesser of or the maximum rate permitted by law. In addition, a one-time administrative late fee of may be charged.

Term and Termination

Term: This Business Intentions Plan commences on and continues until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate this Plan for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Either party may terminate for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach. Termination shall not relieve the parties of obligations accrued prior to the effective termination date.

Confidentiality

Each party acknowledges that during the term it may receive Confidential Information of the other party. "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed in any form that is designated confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential. Each receiving party shall (a) use Confidential Information only to perform its obligations under this Plan, (b) restrict disclosure to employees, contractors and advisors who have a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those in this Plan, and (c) exercise at least the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but no less than reasonable care. The foregoing obligations do not apply to information that is publicly known through no fault of the receiving party, was rightfully known prior to disclosure, or is required to be disclosed by law, provided that the disclosing party is given prompt notice and a reasonable opportunity to seek protective measures.

Governing Law

This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of , without regard to conflicts of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that state for resolution of any disputes arising under this Plan.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Plan constitutes the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements. Any amendment or modification of this Plan must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Plan shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by hand delivery, nationally recognized overnight courier, or certified mail, return receipt requested.

Additional Provisions

Relationship: The parties acknowledge that nothing in this Plan creates a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship or agency except as expressly set forth in a subsequently executed definitive agreement. Each party is responsible for its own taxes, benefits and insurance.

Survival: The provisions of this Plan that by their nature should survive termination or expiration shall survive, including confidentiality, payment obligations accrued prior to termination, and governing law.

Party A - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Party B - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Business Intentions Plan Is and When It’s Used

A Business Intentions Plan is a concise written statement that documents a company’s planned activities, strategic objectives, proposed transactions, or projected business actions over a defined period. It typically records parties, scope of intended activities, timelines, financial assumptions, and any conditions or contingencies that must be met before actions proceed. The document may be used internally for governance and board approval, shared with potential partners or investors to describe proposed commitments, or attached to filings where a formal record of corporate intent is required.

Why a Clear Business Intentions Plan Matters

Documenting intent creates an auditable record of decisions, reduces misunderstandings among stakeholders, and clarifies timing and conditional steps for later execution or contractual drafting.

Why a Clear Business Intentions Plan Matters

Who Prepares and Reviews a Business Intentions Plan

Circulation typically includes approvers, legal counsel, finance, and any external advisers whose sign-off or input is required.

  • Founders and executive leadership who set strategic direction and approve proposed transactions.
  • Legal or corporate counsel who assess compliance, risk, and required formal filings.
  • Finance and operations teams who validate assumptions, budgets, and implementation timelines.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Plan

A robust Business Intentions Plan is structured so reviewers can quickly understand actors, timing, conditions, and measurable objectives.

Parties

List legal names and roles of all organizations and individuals involved, including contact and legal entity identifiers where applicable.

Scope

Describe proposed activities or transactions with enough detail to distinguish intent from final contractual terms and to guide next steps.

Timing

State effective dates, critical milestones, and any deadlines for approvals or regulatory filings that affect the plan.

Conditions

Include contingencies such as funding, regulatory clearances, board approvals, or third-party consents required before execution.

Financials

Provide high-level financial assumptions, budget ranges, funding sources, or pricing benchmarks tied to the intended actions.

Approvals

Name the individuals or bodies authorized to approve the plan and specify whether board or shareholder approval is required.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Business Intentions Plan

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and finalize a Business Intentions Plan with clear accountability.

  • 01
    Gather facts: Collect parties, dates, and supporting documents.
  • 02
    Draft summary: Write a concise intent statement and scope.
  • 03
    List conditions: Document contingencies and approvals needed.
  • 04
    Circulate for review: Share with legal, finance, and approvers.

How to Configure an Online Version for eSignatures and Routing

Set workflow fields and routing rules so reviewers get the correct sequence and signers authenticate appropriately.

Field Configuration
Signature field Required; include signer role and date
Conditional sections Show only when specific options are selected
Routing order Sequential routing: legal → finance → executive
Authentication Use email + optional SMS code for signer verification

Where to Send or File the Completed Plan

Identify primary destinations for the completed plan depending on its purpose and any external filing needs.

  • Internal Records: Store final signed plan with corporate minutes and governance files.
  • Board Packet: Include as Exhibit to board materials for approval.
  • External Parties: Share executed copy with counterparties or advisers.
  • Regulatory Filing: Attach when disclosure to regulators or registrars is required

Distribution and Digital Signing Options

Match authentication strength and retention policies to the document’s legal sensitivity and any industry-specific requirements.

  • Email delivery: Simple distribution for internal or external reviewers.
  • Signing link: Guest signer links allow signatures without accounts.
  • Remote notarization: Use RON when notarial acknowledgement is required.

Common Timing Considerations and Recommended Deadlines

Timelines will vary by transaction; use these recommended checkpoints to keep the plan actionable and reviewable.

Initial draft deadline:

Within 2 weeks of decision to pursue activity

Internal review deadline:

Allow 7–14 days for legal and finance review

Board approval date:

Schedule at the next board meeting or special session

External disclosure timing:

Coordinate with counsel for regulatory notice requirements

Implementation start:

Once all conditions precedent are satisfied

Key Milestones from Intent to Execution

Track milestones in sequence so the plan moves from intent to enforceable actions without gaps.

01

Decision Date

Board or leadership documents initial approval intent.

02

Due Diligence

Assess financial, legal, and operational preconditions.

03

Final Approval

Obtain required corporate or regulatory sign-offs.

04

Execution

Execute contracts or commence actions per plan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Plan

  • Vague language that leaves conditions unclear and invites dispute during execution.
  • Failing to identify the authorized signatory, which can void approvals or delay implementation.
  • Missing regulatory or filing steps that create unexpected disclosure obligations or compliance gaps.
  • Not retaining an auditable, time-stamped copy of the final signed plan for governance records.

Risks and Potential Consequences of an Incorrect Plan

Contract exposure: Damages or specific performance claims
Tax penalties: Incorrect reporting may trigger IRC §6721 fines
Regulatory fines: Failure to disclose can lead to administrative penalties
I-9 violations: Documentation errors invite 8 CFR §274a.2 penalties
Reputational harm: Lost trust with partners and investors
Operational delay: Missed milestones or funding cutoffs

Essential Security and Compliance Controls for Stored Plans

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Data at rest: AES-256 encrypted storage
Access control: Role-based permissions enforced
Audit trail: Time-stamped signing history
HIPAA handling: BAA required for PHI
Backup policy: Regular secure backups retained

Typical Signatory Roles and Authority

Founder / CEO

The founder or CEO often signs to express corporate intent where bylaws grant authority. Confirm board delegations to ensure the signature binds the entity under corporate governance rules.

Authorized Representative

An officer or delegated representative may sign on behalf of the company only if a board resolution or power of attorney grants that authority; retention of delegation documents is recommended.

Real-World Examples of How Organizations Use This Plan

These examples illustrate practical applications and how the plan informed next steps for different organizations.

Optica Ventures

Optica recorded planned investment rounds and milestones to align internal approvals

  • The plan identified funding tranches and board checkpoints
  • As a result, the company avoided miscommunication with investors and streamlined board motions when conditions were met.

Martin Properties

A regional real estate firm used a Business Intentions Plan to outline acquisition criteria and timeline

  • The plan listed contingencies for inspections and financing
  • This allowed faster conversion to binding purchase agreements once conditions were satisfied.

Comparison: eSignature Options for Completing and Signing the Plan

Vendor differences matter for price, compliance, and bulk workflows; signNow is listed first for comparison consistency.

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 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan 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
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about validity, signing options, notarization, and handling when parties need changes after signing.


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