The proposal makes the commercial offer understandable
A proposal translates discovery into an outcome, deliverables, exclusions, approach, schedule, and price. It helps the client decide whether to proceed and gives both sides a concrete basis for the next document.
Keep important assumptions and boundaries next to the scope. If the client accepts a different option or requests a change, preserve that decision instead of editing away the earlier offer.
- Outcome, deliverables, exclusions, timing, and price are explicit
- The offer has a clear expiry and acceptance method
- Selected options and later changes remain visible
The contract governs how the engagement works
A services agreement addresses the parties, responsibilities, payment terms, ownership, confidentiality, risk, termination, dispute process, and other legal subjects appropriate to the engagement.
The contract should match the accepted offer. Ask a qualified lawyer to prepare or review legal terms for your jurisdiction and risk; a workflow tool should not pretend generic text is personal legal advice.
- The correct parties and authorised signers are identified
- Scope documents are incorporated without contradicting the agreement
- Signature, legal confirmation, and document version are recorded
The invoice requests and records payment
An invoice identifies the supplier, client, work or milestone, issue date, due date, amount, currency, taxes, and approved payment method. It should not introduce new commercial terms after work has begun.
Connect the invoice to the proposal, contract, project, and delivery event that justify it. Once paid, record the verified amount, method, date, and reference without changing the original history.
- The invoice matches the agreed fee, milestone, currency, and tax treatment
- The client knows the exact due date and payment reference
- Payment state is verified independently and protected from duplicates
Decision check
Ask these questions before you commit
- 01Would the client see the same scope and price across all three documents?
- 02Can I identify exactly which version was accepted and signed?
- 03Does every invoice point to an agreed and observable payment event?
- 04Are legal, tax, and accounting questions reviewed by the right professional?
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