Entry Header
Date, time, project name, location, and the name and role of the person making the entry to ensure attribution and auditability.
A well‑maintained log improves visibility, reduces dispute risk, and supports audit and compliance obligations by documenting who did what and when. It streamlines status reporting and helps detect schedule or budget drift early.
The log is used by project managers, PMO staff, site supervisors, contract administrators, and quality assurance personnel to record progress and actions before, during, and after key events.
Stakeholders including sponsors, auditors, and third‑party reviewers rely on the log for status checks, compliance reviews, and closeout verification.
The Project Manager typically completes entries, verifies milestone completion, and signs updates. Their signature confirms that recorded status and attached evidence reflect actual progress and authorizes routing for approvals.
A senior approver or contracting officer signs off on accepted deliverables and budget changes. Their signature establishes authorization for payments and contract adjustments and becomes part of the formal project record.
Date, time, project name, location, and the name and role of the person making the entry to ensure attribution and auditability.
Unique milestone or work package ID and scheduled vs. actual dates so reviewers can compare planned progress with outcomes.
Standard status values (e.g., On Track, Delayed, Complete) and short reason codes for consistent reporting and filtering across entries.
Assigned corrective actions with owner, due date, and current status to ensure accountability and measurable follow‑up.
Links or attachments (photos, PDFs, test reports) and brief descriptions that substantiate the entry and support audits or claims.
Signed approval fields and timestamped audit trail entries to record who authorized a milestone, change order, or payment.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Document Upload | Allow PDF, DOCX, JPG; max file size 25 MB |
| Signer Roles | Define Author, Reviewer, Approver role order |
| Authentication | Email with optional SMS or KBA for sensitive projects |
| Reminders | Auto reminders at 3 and 7 days before due date |
Choose a platform that supports audit trails, attachments, and the integrations your team uses.
Save signed entries as PDF/A for archival and as DOCX when edits or redaction are required for internal reviews.
Include the platform's audit certificate with each exported file to preserve timestamp, IP, and signer attribution.
Attach test reports, photographs, delivery receipts, and inspection certificates as separate files with descriptive filenames.
Retain previous versions and mark the active version to prevent confusion during closeout or dispute resolution.
Project team used daily log entries to document punch list completion and photos.
The operations team recorded installation milestones and test results in the log.
| 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 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Entries for on‑site work recorded the same business day
PM compiles weekly summaries every Friday
PMO reviews aggregated status within 5 business days of month end
Approvals due within 7 days of completion
Final log and evidence archived within 30 days of project close
Establish log template and roles before work begins
Record initial schedule and milestone dates
Monthly PMO review and variance reporting
Finalize entries, collect signatures, and archive