How do you set expectations when someone hires you to complete a project?
Write a statement of work to detail the requirements, deadlines, and other terms of your employment relationship.
Writing a statement of work is not easy, especially considering that it is a legally binding document that both parties will adhere to for the duration of the project. Instead of worrying about the details, let us help you by giving you some great ideas on how to write this document.
What is a spain business fax list statement of work?
A person is writing on a sheet of paper with a pen, surrounded by additional documents on a table.
A statement of work, or SOW, is a document that provides an overview of a project from start to finish.
This document binds and informs project stakeholders about essential details such as requirements, deliverables, and fee schedules. In many cases, these documents can be signed by both parties using an electronic signature software like DotSign to speed things up.
Many industries rely on statements of work as business proposals to establish project expectations between two parties. Different industries base their statements of work on the most appropriate measurable for their situation. The three most common are:
Design/Detail
Time/Effort and Materials/Unit Rate
Performance based
Design/detail statements of work clearly define the requirements that one party must follow to complete work for another. You'll often find them in construction, manufacturing, or government contracts.
Time/effort and materials/unit rate statements of work are broader in scope and define the service a party will perform based on the hours or materials required to complete a project.
The flexibility of this structure makes it ideal for hourly workers or those with other temporary contracts.
A performance-based statement of work focuses on the outcome rather than the means to get there. It defines the buyer's expectations and the resources provided, but does not dictate how the service provider will achieve the agreed-upon results.
This type is the standard for most government contracts.
7 great ideas on how to write a statement of work
Writing a statement of work can be challenging, especially if you're new to a field or it's your first time defining the details of a project.
If you're preparing your first SOW, here are some great ideas for organizing it into relevant sections that get the job done without being too long or complex.