Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and under state UETA statutes; signatures meet the legal test when intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.

When is notarization required?

Most project scope contracts do not require notarization, but specific deliverables or ancillary documents (deeds, affidavits) may; check state notary rules and RON availability for remote notarization options.

How should I handle contract changes?

Use the contract’s change-control procedure: submit written change requests, obtain required approvals, adjust schedule and payment terms, and attach amendments to the original executed contract.

Can I revoke a signed scope contract?

Revocation depends on contract terms and applicable law; unilateral revocation after execution may create breach liability unless the parties have agreed termination or rescission clauses.

How long must I keep signed contracts?

Retain contracts per applicable law: IRS records three years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)) for healthcare-related records, and longer where state law or industry rules require.

What if names or dates are incorrect?

Correct errors via a written amendment signed by all parties; mismatched legal names or incorrect effective dates can undermine enforceability or create ambiguity in dispute resolution.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Scope Contract

Project Management Scope Contract

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

Project Management Scope Contract

Project Identification

Project Title

Project ID: Client Name:

Client Address Service Provider Service Provider Address

Project Manager (Provider): Contact (PM Email):

Term and Schedule

Contract Start Date: Contract End Date:

Milestones and Dates

Due Date:

Scope of Work

The Service Provider shall perform the following services in accordance with the terms of this Contract. All work shall conform to the deliverables, acceptance criteria, schedule and standards set forth below.

Detailed Scope of Work Out-of-Scope Items

Deliverables and Acceptance

Key Deliverables Acceptance Criteria

Client will have business days after delivery to review and either accept or provide written rejection specifying deficiencies. Absent timely written rejection, deliverables shall be deemed accepted.

Budget and Payment

Total Contract Price: $

Payment Schedule

Retainage (if any): Invoices payable within days of approved invoice.

Expenses and Taxes

Change Order Procedure

Any change to scope, schedule or price must be documented in a written change order signed by authorized representatives of both parties prior to commencement of changed work. No oral change will be binding.

Change Order Contact Change Order Approval Timeframe

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Each party acknowledges that it may receive Confidential Information of the other. "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed in connection with this Contract. Receiving party shall: (a) use Confidential Information solely to perform obligations under this Contract; (b) restrict disclosure to employees or contractors who need access; and (c) protect Confidential Information with the same degree of care it uses to protect its own confidential information, but not less than reasonable care. Confidentiality obligations survive termination for a period of three (3) years unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Special Data Handling Requirements

Representations, Warranties and Liability

Provider represents and warrants that services will be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE DISCLAIMED. Except for liability arising from willful misconduct or gross negligence, each party's aggregate liability for claims arising under this Contract shall not exceed the total amount paid to Provider under this Contract in the twelve (12) month period preceding the claim.

Indemnification

Each party shall indemnify and hold the other harmless from third-party claims arising from its breach of this Contract, negligence, or willful misconduct, subject to the limitations of liability set forth herein. Indemnifying party shall defend the claim at its expense and may select counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Provider retains ownership of pre-existing tools, methodologies, templates and intellectual property. Client receives a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use deliverables for its internal business purposes upon full payment. Any bespoke software or work-for-hire deliverable expressly transferred to Client must be identified in an attached schedule.

Deliverable IP Notes

Termination

Either party may terminate this Contract for material breach if such breach is not cured within days after written notice. Either party may terminate for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Upon termination, Provider shall deliver work in progress and Client shall pay for work performed to the termination date.

Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delay or failure to perform to the extent such delay is caused by events beyond reasonable control, provided the affected party promptly notifies the other and uses commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance.

Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

The parties will attempt in good faith to resolve disputes promptly by negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered in accordance with the parties' agreement. This Contract is governed by the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of laws principles.

Notices

All notices under this Contract must be in writing and delivered to the contact information provided above or to such other address as the receiving party designates in writing. Notice is effective upon receipt.

Additional Provisions

Execution

By signing below, each party represents that the signatory is authorized to bind the respective party and that the party accepts and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Contract.

Client

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Project Management Scope Contract Is

The Project Management Scope Contract is a written agreement that defines the specific work to be performed on a defined project, including objectives, deliverables, acceptance criteria, milestones, schedule, budget, roles, and change-control procedures. It allocates responsibilities, clarifies payment triggers, and documents quality and testing requirements. Parties use the scope contract to reduce ambiguity, set performance expectations, and create an auditable record of agreed obligations. The contract may be a stand-alone document or incorporated into a master services agreement to govern project execution and closeout.

Why a Clear Scope Contract Matters

A Project Management Scope Contract minimizes disputes, defines performance and acceptance criteria, and ties payment milestones to deliverables. It improves project control, supports change-management, and provides a contractual basis for claims, audits, and performance reporting.

Who Prepares and Approves This Contract

Project teams, procurement, legal, and client representatives typically draft and review scope contracts to confirm responsibilities and acceptance criteria.

Project manager — drafts scope, assigns tasks, and monitors schedule and deliverables.
Client or owner — approves scope, sets priorities, and confirms acceptance criteria and payments.
Contractor or vendor — commits to deliverables, staffing, timelines, and warranty terms.

Use the contract as the single source of truth for approvals, escalation paths, and handoffs throughout project delivery.

Primary Signers and Their Roles

Owner / Sponsor

The project owner or sponsor provides budget authority, strategic direction, and final acceptance. They approve the scope and any material changes, authorize payments tied to acceptance criteria, and should be an identified signatory with documented authority on file to avoid downstream disputes.

Project Manager

The project manager coordinates delivery, enforces change-control procedures, tracks milestones, and manages contractor relationships. They serve as the operational contact for clarifications, acceptance testing, and progress reporting and must have delegated authority defined in the contract.

Essential Fields to Complete

Project Title: Exact official project name.

Parties: Full legal names of signatories.

Scope Summary: Concise work description.

Deliverables: List deliverable items.

Schedule: Milestones with dates.

Budget: Total fees and payment terms.

Core Components of a Professional Scope Contract

A complete Project Management Scope Contract organizes obligations into discrete sections so responsibilities, payments, timelines, change control, and acceptance are unambiguous across stakeholders.

Scope Definition

A precise description of work, boundaries, and exclusions so parties understand what is and is not included; avoid vague language and reference plans, drawings, and appendices that form part of the contract.

Deliverables and Acceptance

Specify each deliverable, associated acceptance criteria, testing procedures, and the formal sign-off process; tie acceptance to payment triggers to reduce disputes and clarify responsibility for remedial work.

Schedule and Milestones

List milestone dates, interim deliverables, and dependencies; include remedies for missed dates where appropriate and define the impact of weather, permitting, or client-driven changes.

Roles and Responsibilities

Identify parties, subcontractors, and key contacts; define who provides materials, approvals, inspections, and site access to remove ambiguity during execution.

Budget and Payment Terms

State the contract value, invoicing schedule, retainage or holdback, allowable expenses, and late payment interest provisions; specify currency and invoicing documentation.

Change Control and Dispute Resolution

Describe the process for change requests, approval authority, valuation of change orders, and the dispute-resolution mechanism such as mediation, arbitration, or litigation venue.

Step-by-Step: Complete the Scope Contract

Follow these steps to draft, review, and finalize a Project Management Scope Contract so stakeholders have a single authoritative agreement before work begins.

01

Draft Scope: Describe work, exclusions, and references.
02

Define Deliverables: List deliverables and acceptance tests.
03

Set Schedule: Enter milestone dates and dependencies.
04

Obtain Signatures: Ensure authorized signers sign and date.

Where the Contract Goes After Completion

After signing, route the executed contract to all stakeholders and to your records system so approvals, responsibilities, and version history are preserved.

Client Approval: Client retains an executed copy for acceptance and payment reference.
Project Office: PMO stores contract and integrates milestones into project schedules.
Contractor: Contractor receives the signed scope to mobilize resources.
Records Archive: Store final signed copy in contract repository for audits.

Digital Workflow Settings for eExecution

Configure routing, authentication, and notifications before sending the scope contract for signatures to ensure a secure, auditable signing flow.

Field	Configuration
Routing Order	Sequential signer order or parallel routing
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or stronger KBA
Reminders	Auto-reminders frequency and escalation
Storage Location	Designated repository or cloud folder

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Integration

Confirm file format support, integration endpoints, and signer authentication options before beginning eSigning to avoid compatibility delays.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced methods

Download, Export, and Supporting Documents

After execution, preserve the contract in immutable formats and attach supporting documents used to define scope, budgets, and approvals.

Export Formats

Save signed contracts as PDF/A to preserve appearance and metadata; include the audit trail and certificate of completion alongside the signed PDF for evidentiary use.

Supporting Attachments

Attach drawings, schedules, bill of materials, vendor lists, and test plans as numbered exhibits referenced in the main contract to avoid scope disputes.

Version Control

Maintain a version log that records drafts, redlines, and final executed versions with timestamps to show the evolution of scope and approvals.

Retention Copy

Store a master signed copy in a secure contract repository with backup and restricted access for audit and legal hold readiness.

Common Risks and Contractual Penalties

Payment Delay: Late payment fees

Scope Creep: Unpaid extra work

Contract Breach: Liability exposure

Termination Costs: Early termination fees

Regulatory Exposure: Industry compliance risks

Dispute Costs: Arbitration or litigation expenses

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Below is a vendor comparison focused on starting price and common features relevant to executing project scope contracts; signNow is listed first per platform data.

	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 (trial)	Yes (trial)	Yes (trial)	Yes (trial)
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/yr	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about enforceability, eSigning, notarization, update procedures, and record retention for Project Management Scope Contracts.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and under state UETA statutes; signatures meet the legal test when intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.
When is notarization required?
Most project scope contracts do not require notarization, but specific deliverables or ancillary documents (deeds, affidavits) may; check state notary rules and RON availability for remote notarization options.
How should I handle contract changes?
Use the contract’s change-control procedure: submit written change requests, obtain required approvals, adjust schedule and payment terms, and attach amendments to the original executed contract.
Can I revoke a signed scope contract?
Revocation depends on contract terms and applicable law; unilateral revocation after execution may create breach liability unless the parties have agreed termination or rescission clauses.
How long must I keep signed contracts?
Retain contracts per applicable law: IRS records three years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)) for healthcare-related records, and longer where state law or industry rules require.
What if names or dates are incorrect?
Correct errors via a written amendment signed by all parties; mismatched legal names or incorrect effective dates can undermine enforceability or create ambiguity in dispute resolution.

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