#Statement of Work
Statement of Work For: <Client>
Document Created: <Date>
Author: <Author>
Distribution: <Distribution List>
Document Revision History
| Revised By | Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Initials or name | Date modified | Reason for revision |
| Initials or name | Date modified | Reason for revision |
| Start Date | End Date | Project Manager |
|---|---|---|
| dd-mon-yyyy | dd-mon-yyyy | Initials |
##Background [Optional section]
If there is a background to this SOW that is relevant, possibly because it will be distributed to multiple stakeholders that are not aware of the work background then describe it here. For example: “[client] has been experiencing difficulty identifying sources coming to their website, which makes it difficult to track marketing spend…” This type of background is often a justification for rapid sign-off of the SOW as it highlights the commercial imperative of the recipient of the work.
##Objectives State the high-level business objectives and proposed solution so that the two marry up, with the solution an explanation of how the objectives will be met. For example: “to implement [solution] by [development steps] so that [objectives] can be met in a timely and efficient fashion.
##Project Scope ###High-Level Requirements List the requirements that must be satisfied in order for the project’s goals to be realised.
| Requirement | Comment |
|---|---|
| Requirement A | Delivery of A enables B to happen |
| Etc. | Etc. |
###Milestones and Deliverables List the major project milestones and the deliverables from them
| Milestone | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Milestone A | Deliverable 1 |
| Milestone B | Deliverable 2 |
| Milestone C | Deliverable 3 |
| Etc. | Etc. |
###Project Plan ####Timeline Lay out the timeline for delivery at a high level. It is generally wise not to commit to dates, only to durations in a SOW, as delays in approval often occur with the deadline not shifting accordingly.
- Wk 1
- a. Kick off session
- b. GAP Analysis
- Wk 2
- a. Deliver detailed technical spec for sign off
- b. Deliver database schema
- Etc.
##Risks and Assumptions ###Risk Analysis If you are creating a sophisticated SOW you may have a separate Risk Register. Do not link to it, instead call out the risks in a table with the column headings below:
Risk Id – A unique identification number [can be used to identify and track the risk in the risk register if one is in use].
Category –Is the risk financial (cost and/or revenue), regulatory or compliance, timeline, resource, environment, or some other key category? Categorising risks groups them and aligns them with stakeholders who are best placed to assess/mitigate and stakeholders for whom the risk is greatest.
Description – Describe the potential risk. For instance: Item A cannot be completed until Item B has been purchased but approval is not yet forthcoming and there is a delivery lead time, or Item A requires resources that have not been identified and the project is currently resource constrained.
Potential Impact – A quantitative rating of the potential impact on the project if the risk should materialize. Impact in a Risk Register should be scored on a scale of 1 – 10 with 10 being the highest impact.
###Assumptions List all of the assumptions that are being made. For example: “to successfully meet its goals in a timely manner with benefits reflected in the current financial year, all parties have signed-off the budget and the project will begin on the scheduled start date.” ##Pricing List the price, stating clearly:
- Currency (don’t get paid in Canadian dollars when you meant US dollars!)
- Amount
- Payment Terms (including any staged/milestone payments)
- If price is Fixed or Time and Materials. If the latter, then specify that there is a Rate Card in the Appendix and put it there.
##Approval This Statement of Work has been reviewed and accepted by the following people, as indicated by signature below:
[List all individuals whose signature is required, along with their titles and/or roles on the project. As a general rule, try not to put all the text of an Approval section on a page by itself and always place it immediately beneath the pricing information.]
Full Name ...............................................................................
Title..........................................................................................
Signature.................................................................................
Date..........................................................................................
--
Full Name ...............................................................................
Title..........................................................................................
Signature.................................................................................
Date..........................................................................................
[it is advisable to specify dates in dd-mon-yyyy format, which is the international standard]
##APPENDIX A - REFERENCES Include the relevant text of any documents referenced in this SOW (for example a Rate Card if T&M). Do not link to documents outside of the physical SOW as this document forms the basis for a contractual agreement and should therefore be complete in itself.
##APPENDIX B - GLOSSARY
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Term used in the document | Its definition in lay terms |
| Etc. | Etc. |