Can the plan be eSigned?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are satisfied.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is rarely required for grading plans unless contract terms or state law demand it; verify if the plan will be used as an evidentiary document in a specific jurisdiction.

What if names differ on documents?

Mismatched legal names can invalidate acceptance or payment triggers. Use consistent entity and signer names and include a referenced alias clause if needed.

How should evidence be attached?

Attach or link to source files and include file identifiers. Embedded metadata or a clear repository path improves traceability during audits.

How long must records be kept?

Follow federal minimums (IRS 3 years) and industry standards (HIPAA 6 years) and consult counsel for state-specific longer retention requirements.

What authentication is recommended?

Use at minimum email link verification; for high-value acceptances use multi-factor authentication or stronger signer identity proofing.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Grading Plan

Project Management Grading Plan

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT GRADING PLAN

Project Identification

Project Title:

Project ID: Client Name:

Client Contact Project Manager (Service Provider) Project Manager Contact

Scope of Work

The Service Provider shall perform the following work and grading activities consistent with the Project requirements. Work performed outside this scope will be treated as a change order subject to the Change Order provisions below.

Detailed Scope Description Out of Scope Items

Grading Methodology and Acceptance Criteria

The Grading Plan establishes objective evaluation metrics for delivered work. Each deliverable will be assessed against the acceptance criteria listed below and assigned a grade per the weighted scoring defined herein. A grade below the pass threshold triggers remediation and regrading as described in this Plan.

Weighted Scoring Components (enter percentage weights; total must equal 100) Pass Threshold (overall score percent required to accept deliverable)

Deliverables and Acceptance

Each deliverable shall include a description, delivery date, the acceptance criteria to be assessed at delivery, and the responsible acceptance authority.

Deliverable 1 Description Deliverable 1 Due Date Deliverable 1 Acceptance Criteria Deliverable 2 Description Deliverable 2 Due Date Deliverable 2 Acceptance Criteria Deliverable 3 Description Deliverable 3 Due Date Deliverable 3 Acceptance Criteria

Timeline and Milestones

Project Start Date Project End Date Milestone 1 Milestone 2

Budget and Payment

Total Contract Value Payment Schedule Change Order Process (rates, approvals, documentation)

Remediation, Regrading, and Dispute Resolution

If a deliverable fails to meet the Pass Threshold, the Service Provider shall, at no additional cost to the Client, correct nonconforming work within the remediation period specified below. Regrading will occur upon resubmission. If regrading results remain disputed, the parties shall escalate to the dispute resolution process specified in this Plan.

Remediation Period Dispute Resolution Procedure

Confidentiality

Each party shall maintain as confidential all nonpublic information disclosed in connection with this Plan. Confidential information shall be used solely for performance under this Plan. This obligation survives termination of the agreement for a period of three years or as otherwise required by applicable law.

Confidentiality Exceptions (if any)

Liability, Indemnity, and Governing Law

Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other from third-party claims arising from its negligent performance or willful misconduct in connection with this Plan. Except for liability that cannot be limited by law, neither party's aggregate liability shall exceed the total fees paid under the related agreement. This Plan shall be governed by the substantive laws of the state specified below without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

Governing Law (State)

Certifications and Notices

The undersigned representatives certify that they are authorized to bind their respective parties and that the information and commitments recorded in this Grading Plan are true, complete, and will be executed in accordance with the terms set forth herein.

Client:

By:

Date:

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

What the Project Management Grading Plan Is

A Project Management Grading Plan is a structured document used to evaluate project performance, assign scores to deliverables, and record reviewer feedback across phases. It defines grading criteria, weighting for scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk, plus standard scoring rubrics and evidence requirements. The plan documents reviewer roles, timelines for assessment, dispute resolution paths, and retention instructions so results are reproducible. Organizations use it to ensure consistent project audits, enable objective post‑mortems, and support contractual acceptance or payment triggers tied to graded milestones.

Why a Grading Plan Matters for Project Outcomes

A clear Project Management Grading Plan creates a consistent basis for acceptance decisions, reduces ambiguity in milestone approvals, and protects stakeholders by documenting expectations. It supports audits, dispute resolution, and compliance with contractual or regulatory terms.

Typical Users and Stakeholders

Project managers, PMO leads, contract administrators, and quality assurance reviewers commonly complete or use the Project Management Grading Plan.

Project Manager — Prepares grading evidence and submits assessments for each milestone within the project governance framework.
PMO Director — Reviews aggregated scores across portfolios and enforces consistency in grading methodology and weighting.
Contract Administrator — Uses graded results to trigger payments, change orders, or acceptance per contract terms.

Participants vary by organization size; roles should be named explicitly in the plan to avoid signing disputes.

Who Signs and Why

Project Manager

Typically signs to attest that submitted deliverables meet the stated evidence requirements. The signature confirms the manager's assessment and authorizes the record for review or payment routing.

PMO Director

May countersign for portfolio-level approvals or quality assurance. That signature confirms independent review and ensures grades align with organizational scoring standards.

Core Components to Include

A professional Project Management Grading Plan groups requirements into measurable sections and defines process, roles, and evidence standards for each graded item.

Scoring Rubric

Define numerical scales, pass thresholds, and clear examples for each score so reviewers apply consistent standards across deliverables and phases.

Criteria & Weights

List evaluation criteria (scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk) and assign relative weights that determine the composite grade for each milestone.

Evidence Requirements

Specify files, test results, acceptance forms, or inspection checklists required to justify each score and where reviewers locate that evidence.

Reviewer Roles

Name roles, permitted actions, quorum rules, escalation paths, and who may sign or appeal a grade decision.

Change Control

Explain how grading changes are handled when scope or milestones change, including regrading triggers and notification requirements.

Audit Trail

Capture time‑stamped reviewer actions, comments, and final signatures to support audits, contract enforcement, and dispute resolution.

Essential Fields to Collect

Project Name: Full project title

Milestone ID: Unique milestone code

Reviewer Name: Full legal name

Score Value: Numeric score entry

Evidence Link: File path or URL

Signed Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Consequences of an Incorrect or Missing Plan

Payment Delays: Missed acceptance triggers

Contract Disputes: Increased litigation risk

Rework Costs: Additional scope charges

Audit Findings: Noncompliance citations

Data Leakage: Unauthorized evidence disclosure

Invalid Signatures: Enforceability challenges

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Using vague criteria such as 'acceptable quality' without measurable thresholds leads to inconsistent scores and disputes between reviewers.
Failing to specify evidence types and storage locations causes verification delays and incomplete audit trails at acceptance time.
Assigning unclear signer authority or notary requirements risks signature challenges when grades trigger payments or legal obligations.
Omitting retention instructions can violate recordkeeping rules and hinder audits or post‑project claims resolution.

How to Complete the Grading Plan — Step by Step

Follow these steps to prepare, review, and finalize the Project Management Grading Plan for each milestone.

01

Prepare Template: Populate project and milestone identifiers first.
02

Define Criteria: List measurable metrics and weights.
03

Attach Evidence: Link documents, tests, and photos.
04

Sign and Archive: Capture signatures and store in project records.

Where to Submit or File the Completed Plan

Use a documented routing method so signatures, evidence, and final grades are preserved in a searchable archive.

Project Repository: Upload final plan PDF to the project's shared document library.
eSignature Service: Send for digital signatures using compliant eSign workflows.
Contract Folder: Attach signed plan to the contract record for payment triggers.
Archive System: Store immutably per retention policy and access rules.

Configuring an Online Grading Workflow

Configure authentication, fields, notifications, and storage settings before first use to ensure secure, auditable grading.

Signer Authentication	Email link or SMS code; consider stronger options for critical approvals
Field Types	Use required numeric fields, dropdowns, and file upload controls
Conditional Logic	Show regrade fields only when appeals are filed
Notifications	Automate reviewer reminders and final signatory alerts
Retention Policy	Auto-archive signed plans to the records system

Technical Considerations for Digital Completion

Choose a platform that supports secure eSigning, audit trails, and the file formats you use for evidence.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
Formats Supported: PDF, DOCX, and XLSX for templates and exports
Security Controls: TLS in transit, AES-256 at rest

Comparing eSignature Options for Grading Workflows

Select an eSignature vendor that meets security, compliance, and volume requirements for grading plans; pricing and feature availability vary by plan.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes (plan-dependent)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA required)	Yes (BAA)	Yes (BAA)	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Typical Timelines, Deadlines, and Processing Expectations

Set internal deadlines and service-level expectations to avoid missed approvals and payment delays.

Submission Window:

Submit grading packet within 5 business days of milestone completion

Reviewer Response:

Allow 10 business days for primary reviewer feedback

Appeals Period:

Start appeals within 30 calendar days of graded decision

Final Acceptance:

Final signoff required within 15 business days after appeal resolution

Archive Timing:

Move signed plan to archive within 7 days of final acceptance

FAQs and Troubleshooting for the Grading Plan

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and storing Project Management Grading Plans to avoid processing delays.

Need help? Contact support

Can the plan be eSigned?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are satisfied.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is rarely required for grading plans unless contract terms or state law demand it; verify if the plan will be used as an evidentiary document in a specific jurisdiction.
What if names differ on documents?
Mismatched legal names can invalidate acceptance or payment triggers. Use consistent entity and signer names and include a referenced alias clause if needed.
How should evidence be attached?
Attach or link to source files and include file identifiers. Embedded metadata or a clear repository path improves traceability during audits.
How long must records be kept?
Follow federal minimums (IRS 3 years) and industry standards (HIPAA 6 years) and consult counsel for state-specific longer retention requirements.
What authentication is recommended?
Use at minimum email link verification; for high-value acceptances use multi-factor authentication or stronger signer identity proofing.

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