Project Management Submittal
What a Project Management Submittal Is and when it’s used
Why a structured submittal matters for project control
A clear submittal reduces rework, documents compliance with specifications, and establishes review timelines and responsibility. Well-prepared submittals protect contractual rights and speed decision-making between contractors, designers, and owners.
Typical participants who prepare or review submittals
Roles and responsibilities should be assigned before submittal distribution to avoid review delays and scope disputes.
- Contractors and subcontractors preparing technical data, manufacturer literature, and product samples for approval.
- Design consultants reviewing conformity with drawings, performance criteria, and coordination requirements.
- Owner’s representatives or project managers approving or returning submittals with comments and required corrections.
Step-by-step: completing a Project Management Submittal
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01Gather Materials: Collect drawings, product data, and certifications for each submittal package.
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02Complete Cover Sheet: Enter project, contractor, submittal number, and affected spec sections.
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03Attach Supporting Files: Include PDFs, datasheets, and schedule references named for easy lookup.
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04Route for Review: Send to design and owner reviewers with a clear due date for comments.
Typical routing workflow for a submittal package
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Submit to PM: Contractor submits the package to project manager for initial completeness check.
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Design Review: Engineer reviews technical conformity, notes required changes, or approves.
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Owner Approval: Owner or owner's rep confirms acceptance or issues comments.
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Archive and Distribute: Final signed submittal is archived and issued to field and procurement teams.
Configuring an online submittal workflow
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Reviewer Role | Assign design, owner, and contractor reviewers |
| Authentication | Email link or SMS code for signer verification |
| Due Date Policy | Auto-escalate after X business days |
| Archive Location | Cloud folder with versioning and audit logs |
Technical options for digital submittal delivery
Align integration choices to your document storage, PMIS, and compliance requirements to reduce manual rework.
- Integrations: Common integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Procore, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
- File formats: Support for PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and embedded images
- Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced signer authentication
Representative eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot
| 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 plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Business Premium) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by plan |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA available) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
Key legal and commercial risks from incorrect submittals
Common mistakes that slow or invalidate submittals
- Incomplete attachments: sending cover sheets without required datasheets or test reports creates immediate rejections and delays review cycles.
- Mismatched specification references: citing the wrong CSI section or drawing revision causes reviewer confusion and may require resubmission.
- Incorrect document naming: inconsistent file names prevent automated workflows from routing and tracking effectively, increasing manual effort.
- No reviewer assignment: submitting without designated reviewers or due dates leads to missed SLAs and stakeholder disputes over responsibility.
Real examples of submittal workflows in practice
Martin Properties — Onboarding
Local property manager digitized submittals for vendor installations to reduce paperwork.
- Implemented mobile signing for field crews to approve materials.
- The team reported they could complete and archive approvals online with full compliance, enabling faster handoffs between procurement and field operations and eliminating in-person signature bottlenecks for routine equipment installs.
Xerox — Systems Integration
NetSuite integrations automated submittal status tracking across departments.
- API connected submittal status to procurement workflows.
- As a result, the operations team placed orders with correct configuration data faster, reduced mismatches between purchase orders and approved submittals, and improved internal auditability for project closeout.
Typical submittal deadlines and review time expectations
Initial Submission Deadline:
Specify date to submit submittals before procurement or installation
Reviewer Response Time:
Commonly set between 5–15 business days depending on contract
Resubmission Window:
Allow defined days for contractor revisions after comments
Final Acceptance:
Set approval date tied to procurement and installation milestones
Closeout Archive:
Archive final approved submittals at project closeout
Frequently asked questions about Project Management Submittals
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What if a reviewer misses the deadline?
Document the missed review in the project record and follow the contract’s escalation process. If the contract specifies liquidated damages or delays, notify the owner and maintain evidence of timely submittal.
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Can a submittal be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures that meet ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA rules are generally valid, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
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Are notarizations required for submittals?
Most submittals do not require notarization. If a submittal contains legally significant affidavits or powers, follow state notary or RON rules and retain the notarial record.
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How should version control be handled?
Include revision numbers and dates on each submittal page, maintain a master archive, and record reviewer comments to prevent field teams from using superseded documents.
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What records must be retained for audits?
Keep final approved submittals, reviewer comments, and the audit trail. Industry rules (IRS, HIPAA, SEC) dictate minimum retention; preserve per retention schedule.
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Who can sign on behalf of a company?
An authorized representative with delegated signing authority may sign. Confirm authority via corporate delegation, POA, or contract language before accepting signatures.