Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes. Electronic signatures executed with intent and consent are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states; check specific exceptions such as wills and certain court filings.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required when state law or the contract demands it, commonly for deeds or certain affidavits. Remote Online Notarization (RON) availability varies by state and requires compliance with state notary rules.

What if the signer name doesn’t match records?

A name mismatch can raise questions of authority; remedy by attaching an identification affidavit, corporate resolution, or corrected execution showing consistent authorization.

How can a direction be revoked or amended?

Revocation typically requires written notice signed by the same authorized party and distributed to affected parties; amend by signing a superseding joint direction documenting changes and agreed impacts.

Are witnesses ever required?

Yes. Some documents (varies by state) require witness signatures in addition to notarization. Real property transactions and certain powers of attorney commonly trigger witness rules.

How do I validate the audit trail?

Confirm the certificate of completion includes signer email, IP address, timestamps, and action logs; retain these records as admissible evidence of execution and intent.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Joint Direction Template

Project Management Joint Direction Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Project Management Joint Direction Template

Project Identification

This Joint Direction is issued by the parties identified below for the Project identified herein. Client Name: and Service Provider Name: .

Project Manager: Project ID: Effective Date:

Recitals

WHEREAS, the Client and the Service Provider have entered into a primary agreement governing the Project, and the parties desire to issue this Joint Direction to establish defined scope, deliverables, timeline, and payment terms for the portion of work described below; and WHEREAS, the Project Manager is authorized by both parties to coordinate activities described in this Joint Direction subject to the approval and change control provisions herein.

Scope of Work

Scope of Work Out of Scope

Deliverables and Acceptance

The Service Provider shall deliver the items described below. Each deliverable must meet the stated acceptance criteria and be accepted in writing by the Client or deemed accepted in accordance with the acceptance period below.

Deliverable 1 — Title Deliverable 1 — Description Deliverable 1 — Acceptance Criteria Deliverable 2 — Title Deliverable 2 — Description Deliverable 2 — Acceptance Criteria

Timeline & Milestones

Project Start Date: Anticipated End Date:

Milestone 1 Milestone 2

Budget & Payment

Total Cost (USD) Payment Schedule

Retainage Held: If yes, Retainage Percentage:

Change Order Authorization Threshold Change Order Contact

Change Order Process

All changes to scope, schedule, or price must be documented as a written Change Order referencing this Joint Direction. No work outside the agreed scope shall proceed without a fully executed Change Order signed by authorized representatives of both parties. The Project Manager may initiate change requests, but authorization is required consistent with the Change Order Authorization Threshold above.

Confidentiality

Each party shall maintain in confidence any proprietary or confidential information received from the other party in connection with this Joint Direction and shall use such information only for performance of obligations under this Joint Direction. Confidential information shall not be disclosed except as required by law or with prior written consent of the disclosing party. The confidentiality obligation shall survive termination of this Joint Direction for: months.

Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This Joint Direction shall be governed by the laws of: , without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes arising under this Joint Direction through escalation to senior representatives and, if unresolved within thirty (30) days, through mediation. If mediation fails, the parties may pursue arbitration or litigation as agreed in the primary agreement.

Responsibilities

Client Responsibilities Service Provider Responsibilities

Notice Addresses

Client Notice Address Service Provider Notice Address

Acknowledgments

Each party represents and warrants that (a) it has the authority to enter into and perform this Joint Direction, (b) the person signing on its behalf is authorized to bind the party, and (c) performance under this Joint Direction will comply with applicable laws and the primary agreement.

Client Authorized to Execute: Service Provider Authorized to Execute:

Client — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Project Management Joint Direction Template Is

The Project Management Joint Direction Template is a formal written instruction that coordinates actions, responsibilities, and approvals among two or more parties on a project. It records who may issue directions, the scope of permitted changes, approval thresholds, milestone sign‑offs, and escalation paths. The template standardizes instructions for contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and owners so decisions are auditable and traceable. When executed, it creates contractual obligations and a clear record of instruction that supports dispute resolution, progress billing, and regulatory compliance; it can be completed and signed electronically under U.S. e‑signature law.

Why a Joint Direction Template Matters for Projects

A consistent joint direction template reduces ambiguity, speeds approvals, and preserves an auditable record of decisions. It clarifies authority, controls change scope, and limits downstream disputes by documenting who can give directions and under what conditions.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Template

Common users include individuals who regularly manage project authority, approvals, and deliverable acceptance.

Project managers and PMO leads who assign tasks and confirm milestone acceptance on behalf of the owner or client.
Client or owner representatives who issue formal directions and approve scope changes and payments.
Prime contractors and subcontractors who must receive, acknowledge, and act on official instructions to proceed.

Each signer should be the authorized representative listed in procurement or contract documents to avoid authority disputes.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Template

A robust joint direction template groups essential elements into clear sections so instructions are enforceable, auditable, and actionable for project teams and third parties.

Parties

Identify full legal names, roles, contact details, and organization identifiers for all involved entities and their authorized signers; matches contract records.

Scope

Describe the task, deliverables, and limits of the direction with references to the master contract, drawings, or SOW to avoid ambiguity during execution.

Authority

State who may issue directions, specific approval thresholds, and any delegated authority with reference to contract clauses or PO numbers.

Timing

Include effective date, required response windows, milestone deadlines, and any expedited handling instructions tied to project scheduling.

Change Control

Explain how cost or time impacts are handled, required change notice forms, and linking to pricing or variation order procedures.

Signatures & Audit

Provide signature blocks, date fields, and space for initial confirmations, with instructions for electronic signing and retention of the audit trail.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Template

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, approve, and record a joint direction consistently across projects.

01

Prepare Document: Complete party, scope, and reference fields before routing for approval.
02

Verify Authority: Confirm the signer has contract authority or written delegation.
03

Obtain Approvals: Route to required approvers in the order specified by project governance.
04

Execute and Record: Sign, date, and archive the executed direction with an audit trail.

Typical Digital Workflow for Joint Directions

Digitally executing and routing joint directions follows a predictable flow that preserves chain of custody and timestamps.

Upload: Place the completed template into your document system or eSignature platform.
Place Fields: Insert required text fields, signature blocks, and date fields for each party.
Send to Signers: Distribute in the prescribed signing order or via simultaneous invites as contractually allowed.
Capture Audit: Retain IP, timestamp, and action logs for compliance and dispute support.

Recommended Workflow Settings for eSubmission

Configure your digital workflow to reflect contract signing order and verification requirements before sending.

Field	Configuration
Signing Order	Sequential or parallel, match contract routing and approval thresholds.
Authentication	Use email + SMS code or stronger methods for high‑risk approvals.
Reminders	Set automated reminders at configurable intervals to meet deadlines.
Template Save	Store as reusable template to ensure consistent phrasing and fields.

Technical and Integration Considerations

Choose a platform that supports your project systems and required authentication strength.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Procore, and other common systems are supported.
File Types: Accept PDF, DOCX, and common formats for template import.
Authentication: Options include email, SMS code, and advanced signer verification.

Align integration choices with your document retention policy and audit requirements to maintain compliance.

Essential Fields and Data to Provide

Party Names: Full legal names.

Contact Details: Phone, email, mailing address.

Contract Reference: PO or contract number.

Instruction Summary: Concise action requested.

Effective Dates: Start and response dates.

Signatures: Signed and dated by authorized signers.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving ambiguous scope descriptions that require follow‑up interpretation and delay execution.
Omitting contract or PO references which disconnect the direction from pricing or liability terms.
Routing to the wrong signer or using an unauthorized representative without written delegation.
Failing to capture a complete audit trail, making timing and attribution disputes harder to resolve.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Direction

Invalid Authority: May void direction.

Scope Disputes: Leads to claims and delays.

Billing Errors: Unapproved work may be unpaid.

Regulatory Risk: Noncompliance in regulated sectors.

Contract Breach: Exposure to damages.

Audit Deficiencies: Weak evidence in disputes.

Common Timing and Processing Expectations

Set realistic response and execution windows so downstream teams can plan resources and billing accurately.

Effective Date:

Enter using MM/DD/YYYY to fix start of obligations.

Review Period:

Allow 30 calendar days for formal review and comment.

Response Window:

Require acknowledgement within 10 business days unless expedited.

Execution Deadline:

Specify a 60‑day execution window to finalize signatures and approvals.

Archival Notice:

Confirm who stores executed copies and where they are retained.

eSignature Vendor Pricing Comparison for Template Execution

Vendor pricing and features affect per‑document costs and compliance options; signNow is shown first for direct comparison across common criteria.

	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, no credit card	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about legal validity, notarization, signer identity, and correcting executed joint directions.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures executed with intent and consent are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states; check specific exceptions such as wills and certain court filings.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required when state law or the contract demands it, commonly for deeds or certain affidavits. Remote Online Notarization (RON) availability varies by state and requires compliance with state notary rules.
What if the signer name doesn’t match records?
A name mismatch can raise questions of authority; remedy by attaching an identification affidavit, corporate resolution, or corrected execution showing consistent authorization.
How can a direction be revoked or amended?
Revocation typically requires written notice signed by the same authorized party and distributed to affected parties; amend by signing a superseding joint direction documenting changes and agreed impacts.
Are witnesses ever required?
Yes. Some documents (varies by state) require witness signatures in addition to notarization. Real property transactions and certain powers of attorney commonly trigger witness rules.
How do I validate the audit trail?
Confirm the certificate of completion includes signer email, IP address, timestamps, and action logs; retain these records as admissible evidence of execution and intent.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now