Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided signers demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and records can be retained and reproduced; exceptions may apply to wills, certain court filings, and other statutorily excluded categories.

Is notarization required for all signings?

Not usually for basic project agreements, but specific instruments such as real estate deeds or powers of attorney generally require notarization; some states permit Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and audio-video recording requirements.

How strong must signer authentication be?

Authentication should match transaction risk. Email or SMS may suffice for low-risk deals; higher-value contracts may require two-factor authentication, knowledge-based identity proofing, or advanced signer authentication available on enterprise plans.

What records should I retain after signing?

Keep the signed document, audit trail, and metadata for the contract term plus applicable retention periods; follow IRS, HIPAA, or industry-specific retention rules when those statutes apply.

What if the signer name doesn’t match records?

Name mismatches can cause enforceability or payment issues; verify legal names before sending, correct errors promptly, and re-sign if necessary to ensure attribution and attribution evidence.

Which plan supports bulk sending and API access?

Bulk send is included on Business Premium; API access and enterprise features are provided on Enterprise and Site License plans which offer usage-based pricing and higher integration options.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Startup Template

Project Management Startup Template

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

Project Management Startup Template

Project Identification

Project ID: Project Title:

Client Name Service Provider Project Manager (Provider)

Intended Start Date: Intended End Date:

Background and Objectives

Provide concise background and project objectives. State the business problem, intended outcomes, and measurable objectives.

Scope of Work

The Service Provider shall perform the tasks and produce the deliverables described below in accordance with the schedule and acceptance criteria. Tasks include project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and project closeout as specified.

Out of Scope

Deliverables and Acceptance

Each deliverable shall be delivered in the agreed format and will be subject to the acceptance process. Client shall review delivered items within the acceptance period and either accept or provide written rejection specifying deficiencies.

Deliverable 1 — Description

Due Date: Acceptance Criteria:

Deliverable 2 — Description

Due Date: Acceptance Criteria:

Deliverable 3 — Description

Due Date: Acceptance Criteria:

Timeline & Milestones

Key milestones and responsibilities. Milestone descriptions should include owner and target date.

Milestone 1

Target Date: Owner:

Milestone 2

Target Date: Owner:

Budget, Fees & Payment

The total fixed fee, reimbursable expenses and payment schedule are detailed below. Payments shall be due within the number of days specified following invoice receipt.

Total Project Fee (USD) Payment Schedule Expense Reimbursement

Change Order Process

Any change to scope, schedule, or price requires a written change order signed by authorized representatives of both parties. Change orders will include a description of the change, impact on schedule, and adjustment to fees. Work performed without an approved change order is not billable unless subsequently approved in writing.

Roles, Responsibilities & Assumptions

Client Responsibilities Service Provider Responsibilities Primary Assumptions and Constraints

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

Each party shall treat as confidential all non-public information disclosed by the other in connection with this engagement and shall not use such information except to perform its obligations under this agreement. Confidential information does not include information that is or becomes public through no fault of the receiving party or that the receiving party can demonstrate was independently developed.

Intellectual property created expressly for the Client under this project will be assigned to the Client upon full payment, except for pre-existing tools, methodologies and general know-how retained by the Service Provider. Specific deliverable ownership shall be documented in change orders where applicable.

Confidentiality Exceptions (if any)

Limitation of Liability & Indemnification

Except for liability arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct, the aggregate liability of the Service Provider for claims arising out of this engagement shall not exceed the total fees paid to the Service Provider under this project. Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other from claims arising from its own negligence or willful misconduct.

Termination

Either party may terminate this engagement for material breach if the breach remains uncured for 30 days after written notice. Upon termination, the Client will pay for work performed and reasonable expenses incurred through the termination date, subject to the deliverable acceptance provisions herein.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State specified below without regard to conflict of laws principles. The parties agree to seek good faith negotiation of disputes prior to commencing any formal proceedings.

Governing Law State:

Acceptance & Sign-Off

Acceptance: Client shall have ten (10) business days from delivery of each deliverable to review and either accept in writing or provide a written list of deficiencies. If Client does not provide notice within the review period, deliverable will be deemed accepted.

Special Terms or Notes

Client

Party Label:

By:

Date:

Service Provider

Party Label:

By:

Date:

What the Project Management Startup Template Is

The Project Management Startup Template is a standardized contract and project intake form designed to capture scope, deliverables, milestones, roles, budget, and acceptance criteria for a new project or startup initiative. It aligns stakeholders on responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables while creating a single source of record for approvals, change control, and budget tracking. The template is suitable for internal use, contractor agreements, and early client engagements, and it supports electronic signing and auditable eSubmission workflows consistent with federal and state e-signature laws.

Why Use This Template for Early Projects

A single, repeatable template reduces misunderstandings, speeds approvals, and documents key decisions that affect project scope and budget. It establishes standard acceptance criteria and change-control mechanics so teams can minimize disputes and track deliverables consistently across engagements.

Who Commonly Prepares and Signs This Template

Typical users include founders, project managers, and operations staff who need a consistent method to onboard projects and allocate resources.

Founders and executives approving scope, budget, and milestone deadlines for strategic initiatives.
Project managers and product owners assigning tasks, acceptance criteria, and resource responsibilities for delivery.
Finance or procurement teams confirming payment schedules, invoicing terms, and vendor status for contracting.

Early-stage legal counsel and finance teams often review the template for payment terms and risk allocation before final approval and signature.

Step-by-Step: From Draft to Signed Agreement

Complete the template, route for approvals, and capture signatures using an ESIGN-compliant workflow to ensure enforceability.

01

Prepare draft: Collect scope, milestones, budget, and resource names.
02

Internal review: Obtain stakeholder sign-off and legal or finance review.
03

Send to signers: Attach required fields and authentication instructions.
04

Finalize record: Capture signed PDF and audit trail for retention.

Configuring an Electronic Workflow for the Template

Set up fields, authentication, and routing rules to match your approval steps before sending the template for signature.

Field	Configuration
Signature Type	ESIGN audit trail and timestamp
Authentication	Email link or SMS code
Conditional Fields	Show fields based on role or answer
Bulk Send / API	Available on Business Premium or Enterprise

How Electronic Signing Works for This Template

A typical eSigning flow reduces turnaround by automating field placement, routing, and the creation of an audit record for each signer.

Upload: Add the completed template file to the platform.
Place fields: Insert signature, initials, date, and data fields.
Invite signers: Send secure link or email invitation to signers.
Complete: Platform records timestamps, IP, and a completion certificate.

Technical and Integration Considerations

Verify that your eSignature platform supports required authentication, audit trails, and any integrations needed for your project management stack.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Cloud Storage: Box, Google Drive, Egnyte supported
File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML, Excel

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

The table compares starting prices and common feature availability across major eSignature vendors; signNow appears first as the initial column.

	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 vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Penalties and Risks from Errors or Missing Information

Incorrect Tax Forms: $60–$330 per form, IRC §6721

I-9 Violations: $281–$2,789 per violation

Backup Withholding: 24% withholding for missing or incorrect TIN

Unenforceable Agreement: Missing intent or signatures may void obligations

Data Privacy Breach: HIPAA or state penalties if PHI improperly handled

Intentional Disregard: Higher fines with no statutory cap for willful violations

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 available

Privacy Laws: GDPR and CCPA compliance frameworks supported

Healthcare: HIPAA-compliant when BAA is in place

Regulated Records: 21 CFR Part 11 compliance available

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compatibility

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague scope statements that leave acceptance criteria undefined, causing disputes during delivery and payment.
Mismatched legal names or signatures that prevent enforcement or trigger re-execution delays.
Failing to specify governing law and dispute resolution, which increases uncertainty if a conflict arises.
Not accounting for change control or amendment procedures, leading to scope creep and billing disagreements.

Real Use Examples from Comparable Organizations

These short examples show how small teams and larger operations use structured templates to accelerate approvals and maintain compliance.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin used a standardized project template to centralize approvals and signatures.

Reduced turnaround times for lease and project docs.
The template preserved consistent acceptance criteria and allowed remote execution with auditable records, improving administrative efficiency without in-person meetings.

Xerox Operations

Kodi-Marie Evans implemented a template integrated with NetSuite for project intake.

Automated signatures and routing saved manual entry time.
Integrating templates into back-office systems ensured correct billing codes, traceable approvals, and consistent document formats across global teams.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt these practices to reduce rework, speed approvals, and maintain a defensible record of project decisions.

Define measurable acceptance criteria

Specify deliverables with objective pass/fail tests and review dates so stakeholders agree on completion before invoicing or payment.

Use milestone payments

Link payments to demonstrable milestones and sign-offs to align incentives and reduce dispute risk over partial deliverables.

Record change requests

Require written, signed amendments for scope or budget changes to maintain an auditable trail of approvals and authorization.

Standardize retention practice

Store signed templates with a retention policy tied to regulatory obligations and audit needs; document disposal procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about signing, notarization, authentication, and storage for the Project Management Startup Template.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided signers demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and records can be retained and reproduced; exceptions may apply to wills, certain court filings, and other statutorily excluded categories.
Is notarization required for all signings?
Not usually for basic project agreements, but specific instruments such as real estate deeds or powers of attorney generally require notarization; some states permit Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and audio-video recording requirements.
How strong must signer authentication be?
Authentication should match transaction risk. Email or SMS may suffice for low-risk deals; higher-value contracts may require two-factor authentication, knowledge-based identity proofing, or advanced signer authentication available on enterprise plans.
What records should I retain after signing?
Keep the signed document, audit trail, and metadata for the contract term plus applicable retention periods; follow IRS, HIPAA, or industry-specific retention rules when those statutes apply.
What if the signer name doesn’t match records?
Name mismatches can cause enforceability or payment issues; verify legal names before sending, correct errors promptly, and re-sign if necessary to ensure attribution and attribution evidence.
Which plan supports bulk sending and API access?
Bulk send is included on Business Premium; API access and enterprise features are provided on Enterprise and Site License plans which offer usage-based pricing and higher integration options.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now