25 Simple Scope of Work Templates | How to Write (Examples)

Scope of work is an agreement that describes the work to be completed as part of a contract. When working with people outside your organization, it’s easy for misunderstandings or assumptions to hinder a project in place. The scope of work template form is also essential as it specifies dates, project milestones, payment arrangements, the number of revisions involved, and the deadlines for completing specific deliverables and services. The client and the outside contractor sign the scope of work. It ensures that the client and the contractor agree when it comes to project expectations.

Scope of Work Templates

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How Does a Scope of Work Help You?

A well-written scope of work, also known as the statement of work form, prevents a contractor from working outside the client’s intended scope, ensuring that the project stays on budget and schedule.

A well-written scope of work also prevents various obstacles such as disputes over the amount of work and miscommunication, unfinished/neglected work since the scope is defined in the agreement, and misinterpretation of the expected final results.

The scope of work also eliminates any doubts a client has on a particular project, such as costs and resources. The scope of work also brings accountability by making the contractor liable to lawsuits in case something goes wrong with the project. An example of things that can go wrong includes not completing the project according to the agreement.

There are two common uses of a scope of work. First, the scope of work can be used for an agency or independent consulting. In this section, we have described these two instances in detail.

For independent consulting

Independent consultants provide advice to a customer or companies on how to achieve their objectives. The client hires an independent consultant to assist them in achieving their goals, which could include lowering expenses, increasing productivity, or switching from one company model to another.

Scope of work for independent consulting helps a consultant finish a client’s assignments. It establishes project boundaries, metrics, and measurements for project goals and objectives.

For an agency

Scopes of work for agencies are nearly identical to those for contractors. They ensure that the client is not exploited by the contractor. It also ensures that the contractor does not do anything the scope of work has not specified.

However, because of its necessity, a poorly drafted or overly broad scope of work can make a project unreasonably complicated or costly labor. Creating a well-crafted document is critical.

Scope of Work vs. Schedule of Work

A schedule of work is a detailed method of project management that defines exact deadlines and requirements that the client expects to be met every day. Schedules of work have the advantage of providing a client with complete visibility into the various phases of the project and the distribution of their resources. The scope of work outlines the work to be done, who will do it, and the intended objectives.

Components of a Scope of Work Template

An adequate scope of work ensures that the desired expectations are clear. In addition, the scope of work prevents any future misunderstandings between the client and the contractor. This part of the article describes the various components of a practical scope of work template agreement to guide you when crafting one. The components are:

Project introduction

It would be best to start with the general information and work on the more detailed elements before jumping into the project details. This section briefly outlines the project’s scope of work template and identifies the client and the contractor involved with the project. The introduction also covers the types of formal agreements that can be created later, a standing offer and a contract. A standing offer is a commitment to purchase a service or product at a set price for a set period.  A contract is a more formal, lawful agreement based on details that have been mutually agreed upon.

Overview/objectives/goals

The project overview, goals, or objectives are the results that are expected at the end of the project. After covering the fundamentals, define the project’s primary purpose and the client and contractor’s results. The objectives should be clear. Every worker involved in the project should be able to understand what objectives the client wants to be achieved at the end.

Description of services or goods

Goods are tangible objects that are placed in the market for purchasing, promotion, or consumption, whereas a service is an intangible item that results from the work of one or more people. The client should include a section where the contractor will describe the types of services or goods they will provide.

Deliverables

This is the section of the scope of work template where what a client will receive at the end of the project is detailed. Whatever the deliverable is, either a document or report, software, a product, or a building, they must be identified here. This stage can be simplified by creating a work breakdown strategy. Deliverables can be measured by stage, duration, project completion date, and so on. Deliverables can be both material and intangible. Deliverables should be quantifiable regardless of how they are measured.

Milestones

A milestone is a moment in the life cycle of a project that is used to monitor progress toward the end goal. Milestones are used as markers for a project’s start or finish date, external evaluations or input, budget checks, and the submission of a significant deliverable in project management. Milestones help the client monitor their project’s progress and see if the contractor is on schedule.

Adoption plan

The procedure through which the contractor will execute the deliverables is referred to as an adoption plan. An example of an adoption plan is when a client is migrating their new website to their old domain. Basically, an adoption plan is a process through which deliverables will be put in place.

Project timeline/period of performance

When it comes to pricing a project, time is usually one of the most critical elements. The project timeline section estimates and specifies how long each milestone will take to complete and the estimated project completion time. As you might expect, sketching out the overall plan of any project is essential. The timeline also marks places in the project where the client’s objectives have been delivered. This is best illustrated visually so that all stakeholders can see the big picture. An open-ended project timeline should never be included in the scope of work template. Instead, set a limited amount of time spent without consent or notification if you need more flexibility.

Variables

Cost, schedule, resources, and the technology necessary for each project phase are all variables from start to end. Therefore, everything that has been included or excluded should be clearly defined for each variable.

Requirements

All items required to support the project are included in the requirements. Define the terms you’ll use in the scope of work template, as well as any conditions or criteria that haven’t been specified yet. Proof of originality is one of the most common requirements.

Tasklist/inclusion

A work breakdown structure should be used to break down tasks. First, break down your project’s broad scope into smaller, more manageable pieces. This section is significant because it also provides a timeframe for each stage. Make sure these timeframes are achievable. Tasks are defined actions that must be accomplished for the project’s deliverables to be fulfilled.

Anything not covered in the task list is considered not part of the scope of work template.  It’s important to realize that tasks aren’t the same as deliverables. Tasks are the steps that should be taken. As a result, each task should specify a particular action to be executed.

Out of scope/exclusion

Anything that is outside the scope of the work template is referred to as “out of scope.” The scope of a project is defined in documents such as the scope statement at the start of the project. It specifies the project’s tasks and deliverables, as well as the parties’ expectations. If a client requests an additional function or service, this may be termed “out of scope”. Exclusion is a crucial element since you’ll want to exclude any deliverables or tasks that won’t be finished or delivered at the end of the project.  Make it clear what this project won’t achieve and what objectives won’t be accomplished. This section is an excellent method to avoid future misunderstandings

Expected outcomes

The project outcomes to be delivered for the client are addressed in this section. For example, will the desired project increase visitors to the client’s website or a specific percentage rise in sales? What is the project’s business goal, and how will it be assessed and reported on? These are some of the various questions that the expected outcome section will answer.

Terms and conditions

Define the terms that will be used in the scope of work and any conditions or needs that haven’t been specified yet. Defining the terms and conditions ensures that the project gets done according to what the client’s scope of work states. Payment terms, traveling necessities, and security clearance are some of the terms and conditions the client may include.

Report

Throughout the project, the client will be receiving reports from the contractor. Status reports, progress reports, and other reports are examples. They’re an official record of your project’s progress, but they’re also a way of communicating beyond whether the project is on track or not. There’s a lot of data that can serve various consumers depending on how they are tailored. Define how the contractor will report to the client on the project and when and from whom the stakeholders will receive it.

Completion criteria and signatures

How the client will accept project deliverables is covered in the last part of the scope of work template. This refers to who will authorize them as well as how deliverables will be examined and approved. It may seem pointless to agree on this upfront, but it will help avoid significant obstacles later when you receive something unexpected. It’s important to remember that a scope of work shows clarity and detail. You’ll get a better result if you give more.

After you are done with the components of the scope of work, the following points are necessary to include or observe in it.

1. Explicit details: Explicit details include information such as assumptions on the time, effort, and resources the project will take to be completed. If these details are not included in the scope of work, the project may take longer and cost more.
   
   
2. Use of visuals: Instead of trying to explain what the scope of work contains, use visuals. Visualizations, images, and examples can help clarify the objectives and requirements. Visuals are also easier to remember.
   
   
3. Be specific/define terminologies: Make sure that any business terminology, phrases, or acronyms in your scope of work are defined. It is important not to assume people will understand every word.
   
   
4. Time for reviews: Make sure to provide room in your scope of work and deliverable timetable for reviews and unanticipated changes in priorities. The purpose of creating room for reviews is to allow the contractor to give their opinion on the project outcome.
   
   
5. Success definitions: The most critical part of a successful SOW is that both parties agree on what success looks like. Rewrite it if you’re not sure what you want to achieve at the end.
   
   
6. Get sign-off: Getting the sign-off means that everyone who needs to give the project the green light for it to start does. When everyone signs off on the objectives, they’re expressing their agreement with them. If someone wants to change the project’s scope, they’ll need to submit a new deliverable or change order.

Scope Creep

Scope creep is the process where a client expands the scope of work as the project continues or changes until it no longer corresponds to the scope of work. If this happens, the contractor can take legal action if a dispute arises concerning extended work. As a result , the client and contractor need to check-in before finalizing the project, especially if they believe the other is going beyond the scope of work. If the project’s scope needs to be modified, the client will need to update the scope of work agreement to contain additional notes about the pay rate, payment schedule, deliverables, etc.

Scope of Work Sample

To write an adequate scope of work template that helps you meet your objectives on time and avoid misunderstandings, there are a few good practices that you should keep in mind. The following tips will guide you when writing your scope of work:

Keep it brief

It’s essential to pay attention to detail. However, writing a lengthy scope of work will require the contractor to review it, slowing down the process and losing money. In addition, the more the exclusions, clauses, and exceptions are, the longer it will take to complete that and the more uncomfortable they will be.

Write in the earlier stages of a project

The earlier you start drafting the scope of work, the better. Starting the process early allows the document to develop according to your understanding of the project and the requirements.

Involve other people

If you don’t know how to write various sections, request assistance. If you’re unsure how to precisely define the requirements and infrastructure, you may need to hire a technical writer.

Be clear about what the project includes

Since requirements can be unclear, especially in software development, it’s important to know which paths to avoid and which ones to take.

The scope of work, often known as the SOW, has become a famous phrase in project management. This is usually a clause in a contract with a contractor. Before starting a project, it is crucial to have a thorough and precise scope of work. This will help you meet your objectives on time and avoid misunderstandings and disagreements.           

About This Article

Authored by:

Brian Beers

Business Writing | BA in Journalism, Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Brian Beers is an expert in business writing with over 15 years of experience in financial news. He has received numerous awards, including an Emmy nomination for his work as the lead producer of the CNBC feature "Boom, Bust and Blame: The Inside Story of America's Economic Crisis." Brian has also rung the opening/closing bell of the stock market three times, twice for the NYSE and once for the NASDAQ. He holds a BA in Journalism and an MBA. His exceptional storytelling skills and insightful analysis make him a sought-after professional in the business writing industry, helping individuals and organizations effectively communicate their ideas and strategies in the business world.