Executive Summary
Concise project purpose, high-level deliverables, and the business outcome sought; helps decision-makers scan intent quickly.
An unsigned proposal documents the offer and establishes expectations for both parties before commitment. It reduces misunderstandings, clarifies responsibilities, and provides an audit-ready record of negotiated terms while the parties finalize approvals or signatory authority.
Use these role distinctions to route the proposal correctly and capture any pre-signature approvals required for later execution.
Concise project purpose, high-level deliverables, and the business outcome sought; helps decision-makers scan intent quickly.
Detailed tasks, inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions that define what the project will and will not deliver.
Key dates, phased deliverables, and acceptance checkpoints tied to progress payments or approvals.
Line-item costs, payment schedule, invoicing terms, and any contingency or escalation rules.
Stakeholder responsibilities, resource commitments, and escalation contacts for issue resolution.
Objective tests, deliverable sign-off steps, and change control procedures for scope modifications.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Type | Electronic signature or in-person as required |
| Authentication | Email link, SMS code, or advanced signer ID |
| Conditional Fields | Show optional clauses only when relevant |
| Notifications | Automatic reminders and status updates |
Use systems that capture audit trails and retention metadata; ensure recipients can access the document on desktop and mobile devices.
Draft delivered to internal reviewers within 3 business days
Typically 7–14 calendar days for feedback
Specify a firm signing date to fix pricing and availability
Begin within agreed lead time after signature
Store final signed version upon execution
Brian Fitzgibbons noted SignNow’s ease of use for teams and customers
Tim Martin described handling documents online with compliance and mobility
Project Managers typically prepare and submit proposals but may not have authority to bind the organization; confirm delegated signing limits and internal approval thresholds before indicating signatory authority.
Only individuals with explicit signing authority or a delegated power of attorney may sign contracts; organizations should document authority limits in a signature policy to prevent invalid execution.
Include clear signature and acknowledgement blocks to accommodate notarization.
Confirm signers’ identities and authority in advance.
Choose in-person or remote online notarization where permitted.
Include witness lines if state law or document type requires them.
Use required ID proofing or MFA for remote notarization.
Sign and notarize in the prescribed order and manner.
For RON, retain audio-video and journal entries per state rules.
Store the notarized document alongside audit metadata.
Save final versions as PDF/A for archival stability; retain source DOCX for editable records and plain text copies for indexing.
Keep a certificate of completion or audit log showing timestamps, IPs, and signer actions for evidentiary value.
Include SOW exhibits, change logs, resumes, certificates of insurance, and compliance declarations as separate, named attachments.
Bundle related files into a timestamped ZIP or single PDF portfolio for secure transfer and storage.
| 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 | Free trial available | Free trial available | Free trial available | Free trial available |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |