Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes in most jurisdictions; New York uses ESRA. Ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic records, attribution, and record retention capability.

Is a notary required to make it valid?

Generally no for advisory agreements. Notarization is rarely required for service contracts; obtain a notary only if state law or internal policy specifically demands notarized execution.

What if a party's legal name is entered incorrectly?

Incorrect legal names can raise enforceability issues. Correct errors prior to execution or use a corrective amendment; consider adding a recital identifying the legal entity and any DBAs to clarify authority.

How long should I keep executed agreements?

Retain executed agreements for the active term plus a minimum of three years; follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) for financial records, six years for HIPAA where applicable, and longer where state law or industry rules require it.

Who can sign on behalf of a company?

An authorized officer or agent with delegated signature authority should sign. Confirm authority via corporate resolution or procurement delegation when necessary to avoid challenges to execution.

What happens if a milestone is disputed?

Refer to the agreement's acceptance criteria and dispute resolution clause. Preserve documentation, use agreed escalation paths, and consider mediation or arbitration per the contract terms to avoid project stoppage.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Advisory Agreement

Project Management Advisory Agreement

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Project Identification

Project Title:

Project ID:

Client Client Address Service Provider Provider Address Project Manager (Client) Project Manager (Provider)

Scope of Work

The Service Provider shall provide advisory and project management services as set forth in this Agreement. The detailed scope includes planning, stakeholder coordination, risk identification and mitigation strategies, progress reporting, and advisory support to the Client's project leadership.

Detailed Scope of Work Out-of-Scope Items

Deliverables and Acceptance

The following deliverables shall be completed by the Service Provider and are subject to the acceptance criteria set by the Client.

Deliverable 1 — Description Deliverable 1 — Acceptance Criteria

Target Delivery Date:

Deliverable 2 — Description Deliverable 2 — Acceptance Criteria

Target Delivery Date:

Timeline and Milestones

Planned project schedule and key milestones are set forth below. Dates are estimates and subject to change through the Change Order process.

Project Start Date: Project End Date:

Milestone 1

Due Date:

Milestone 2

Due Date:

Milestone 3

Due Date:

Budget and Payment

Total Fee Payment Schedule Change Order Procedure

Confidentiality

Each party agrees to hold Confidential Information of the other party in strict confidence and to use such information solely for the purposes of performing obligations under this Agreement. Confidential Information excludes information that is or becomes generally available to the public through no fault of the receiving party, is rightfully received from a third party without restriction, or is independently developed without use of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information. The obligations in this paragraph survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, deliverables created specifically for the Client under this Agreement will be assigned to the Client upon final payment. The Service Provider retains ownership of pre-existing methodologies, tools, and templates and grants the Client a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use those items solely in connection with the deliverables.

Liability, Indemnification and Insurance

The Service Provider will indemnify and defend the Client against third-party claims arising from the Service Provider’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in performing services. Except for liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breaches of confidentiality or intellectual property provisions, each party’s aggregate liability under this Agreement is limited to the total fees paid or payable to the Service Provider under this Agreement during the six (6) months preceding the claim.

The Service Provider shall maintain commercially reasonable insurance coverage appropriate to the services provided and shall provide evidence of such insurance upon reasonable request.

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause if the other party materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within days after written notice. The Client may terminate for convenience upon days’ prior written notice, in which case the Service Provider will be entitled to payment for services performed and reimbursable expenses incurred through the effective date of termination.

Force Majeure

Neither party will be liable for delay or failure in performance to the extent caused by acts beyond that party’s reasonable control, including natural disasters, acts of government, labor disputes, or telecommunications failures. The impacted party must notify the other promptly and use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the effects.

Records, Audit and Reporting

The Service Provider shall maintain complete and accurate records relating to services performed and fees invoiced for a period of three (3) years following final payment. The Client may audit such records upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours to verify compliance with this Agreement.

Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction specified below without regard to conflict of law principles.

Governing Jurisdiction

Representations and Warranties

Each party represents that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, that performance will not violate any agreement with a third party, and that the individual signing on its behalf is duly authorized. The Service Provider warrants that services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards.

Subcontracting

The Service Provider may engage subcontractors to perform portions of the services, provided the Service Provider remains responsible for performance under this Agreement and for ensuring compliance with confidentiality and other relevant provisions.

Acceptance Procedure

Upon delivery of a deliverable, the Client shall have business days to review and either accept the deliverable or provide written objections specifying deficiencies. If accepted or not objected to in writing within the review period, the deliverable shall be deemed accepted.

Miscellaneous

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes prior proposals, negotiations, and agreements. Amendments must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties. Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses provided above.

Signature

Client:

By:

Date:

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

What the Project Management Advisory Agreement Is

A Project Management Advisory Agreement is a written contract in which an advisor or consultancy commits to provide project oversight, schedule and budget advice, governance input, risk identification, and performance monitoring for a defined engagement. The agreement defines scope, deliverables, milestones, fees, payment terms, reporting obligations, confidentiality, intellectual property, liability limits, and termination mechanics. It documents the relationship between the hiring party and the advisor, clarifies expectations, and serves as the primary reference for dispute resolution, invoicing, and regulatory compliance during the project lifecycle.

Why this Agreement Matters for Project Outcomes

This agreement reduces ambiguity about roles, timelines, responsibilities, and compensation, making it easier to manage escalations and audit obligations. Clear terms protect both parties, help align incentives, and create an enforceable record for performance measurements and dispute resolution under governing law.

Who Typically Uses a Project Management Advisory Agreement

Organizations and consultants use this agreement to formalize advisory engagements, allocate risk, and document deliverables ahead of project execution.

Large enterprises procuring external PM advisors for strategic initiatives or transformation programs, seeking defined SLAs and reporting.
Small and mid-size firms hiring independent consultants to augment internal PM capacity for discrete projects or portfolio oversight.
Law firms or in-house counsel using a standard form to speed contract review and ensure consistent clauses across advisory engagements.

The contract supports procurement, vendor onboarding, finance approvals, and legal review when bringing advisory services into an active program.

Primary Signatories and Their Roles

Client Representative — Project Sponsor

Typically an executive or director with budget authority who approves scope, accepts deliverables, and signs on behalf of the hiring organization. The sponsor is responsible for providing access to resources and making timely decisions required by the advisor.

Advisor — Project Management Consultant

A named individual or consultancy authorized to deliver advisory services, submit invoices, and accept liability limitations. The advisor must represent they hold required skills, maintain confidentiality, and comply with contract timelines.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Agreement

A robust Project Management Advisory Agreement balances scope clarity, measurable deliverables, and legal protections for both parties while enabling practical project governance.

Scope of Work

Describe specific advisory tasks, exclusions, meeting cadence, and expected outputs so performance can be objectively measured and billing tied to defined activities.

Deliverables & Milestones

List deliverables, acceptance criteria, and milestone dates. Tie payment triggers to approved milestones to align incentives and reduce payment disputes.

Fees and Payment

Specify fee model (hourly, fixed, retainer), invoicing schedule, accepted payment methods, late payment interest, and expense reimbursement rules.

Confidentiality

Define confidential information, permitted disclosures, duration of secrecy obligations, and exceptions such as compelled disclosure or public domain information.

IP and Work Product

Clarify ownership of deliverables, licenses granted, and any preexisting IP carve-outs to prevent later disputes over usage and rights.

Limitation of Liability

Set caps on damages, exclude consequential losses where permissible, and specify indemnities for third-party claims arising from willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to draft, review, sign, and distribute a Project Management Advisory Agreement efficiently and consistently.

01

Draft Core Terms: Define scope, fees, and milestones.
02

Internal Review: Have procurement, finance, and legal review.
03

Client Negotiation: Collect redlines and agree on final text.
04

Execution: Obtain signatures and circulate fully executed copies.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set up a clear digital workflow to ensure signers see required fields in order and receive final executed copies automatically.

Field	Configuration
Signature Order	Set signers in role-based sequence to control signing flow.
Authentication Method	Choose email, SMS code, or stronger verification as required by risk.
Required Fields	Mark names, dates, and fee sections mandatory to prevent incomplete execution.
Final Distribution	Send executed PDF plus audit trail to all parties automatically.

Where to Send or File the Executed Agreement

After execution, route the signed agreement to the right stakeholders and, where applicable, to corporate record repositories for retention.

Client Legal: Store executed original in legal repository.
Finance: Attach to purchase order and payment schedule.
Project Office: Upload to project document management system.
Advisor: Provide a fully executed copy for records.

Distribution and eSubmission Considerations

Choose signing and distribution methods that match authentication, audit, and retention needs for the engagement.

Document Formats: PDF and Word supported.
Integrations: Connect with CRM and cloud storage.
Audit Trail: Record timestamps and IP addresses.

Typical Timelines, Deadlines, and Expectations

Common scheduling and deadline items to include in the agreement ensure clarity on deliverable timing, invoice submission, and acceptance windows.

Milestone Dates:

Specify exact MM/DD/YYYY dates for deliverables.

Acceptance Period:

Define how many days client has to accept deliverables.

Invoice Submission:

State required submission deadlines and supporting materials.

Payment Terms:

Specify net days, e.g., Net 30 from invoice date.

Termination Notice:

Set written notice period for early termination.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

Leaving scope ambiguous or open-ended, which causes disputes about what advisory services were included and billable.
Failing to tie payments to objective milestones, resulting in delayed approvals and contested invoices.
Omitting confidentiality or IP provisions, which can expose proprietary plans or deliverables to unintended reuse.
Using incorrect legal entity names or unsigned exhibit attachments, which can render the agreement unenforceable.

Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Agreement

Contract Voidability: May impede enforcement.

Payment Disputes: Invoices may be withheld.

IP Exposure: Unclear ownership risk.

Regulatory Noncompliance: Breach of industry rules.

Operational Delays: Work may be paused.

Increased Costs: Legal fees and rework.

Real-World Examples of Advisory Agreements in Use

The following condensed examples show how organizations document advisory services and the practical outcomes they achieved.

Optica Ventures — COO

Optica engaged an external advisor to standardize project reporting and oversight across investments.

The advisor provided templates and weekly dashboards.
"The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers." The documented agreement clarified deliverables and reduced status meeting time.

Martin Properties — Founder

A real estate firm contracted a PM advisor to accelerate a portfolio rollout.

The advisor focused on schedule recovery and vendor coordination.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security." The agreement tied payments to milestone completions and improved handover times.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Follow these best practices to reduce negotiation time, improve clarity, and ensure a clean execution process.

Use a Standard Template

Start with a vetted template to ensure consistent clauses for scope, IP, confidentiality, and liability, then tailor only the necessary sections to the engagement.

Attach Detailed SOW

Attach a separate Statement of Work that enumerates tasks, formats, acceptance criteria, and deliverable owners to prevent scope creep and billing disputes.

Require Role-Based Signers

Designate signers by role and authority rather than by individual name where possible; include a signature authority statement to confirm signatory power.

Preserve Audit Trails

When using electronic signing, retain audit logs, timestamps, and final PDF copies in the contract repository to support enforcement and record requests.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing Project Management Advisory Agreements

When selecting an eSignature provider, compare starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA support, and envelope or usage limits to match your compliance and volume needs.

	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	Yes, free trial	Yes, free trial	Yes, free trial	Yes, free trial
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About the Agreement

Answers to common execution, enforceability, and retention questions help prevent delays and ensure the agreement meets legal and project needs.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes in most jurisdictions; New York uses ESRA. Ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic records, attribution, and record retention capability.
Is a notary required to make it valid?
Generally no for advisory agreements. Notarization is rarely required for service contracts; obtain a notary only if state law or internal policy specifically demands notarized execution.
What if a party's legal name is entered incorrectly?
Incorrect legal names can raise enforceability issues. Correct errors prior to execution or use a corrective amendment; consider adding a recital identifying the legal entity and any DBAs to clarify authority.
How long should I keep executed agreements?
Retain executed agreements for the active term plus a minimum of three years; follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) for financial records, six years for HIPAA where applicable, and longer where state law or industry rules require it.
Who can sign on behalf of a company?
An authorized officer or agent with delegated signature authority should sign. Confirm authority via corporate resolution or procurement delegation when necessary to avoid challenges to execution.
What happens if a milestone is disputed?
Refer to the agreement's acceptance criteria and dispute resolution clause. Preserve documentation, use agreed escalation paths, and consider mediation or arbitration per the contract terms to avoid project stoppage.

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