Create a Scope of Work and Avoid Confusion

Introduction

The first thing every consultant agrees on is that each client has its own needs, goals, and expectations. In a fast-paced world, communication between the client and the consultant becomes crucial as they embark on a new project, and when it comes to the description and construction of the project, the Scope of Work takes an essential role.

What is a Scope of Work (SOW)?

The Scope of Work (SOW) outlines all the requirements, assumptions, reports, milestones, deliverables, and payment terms, as well as the establishment of any restriction or limitation that a project might face in the process of its making. In other words, it serves as a formal agreement between the client and the consultant where the client specifies their exact needs and expectations helping the consultant’s team deliver what they want within a defined scope of time. Specificity is essential to have a good understanding between the client and the consultant, making it crucial to avoid any and all ambiguity, only then any conflicts between both parties can be averted.

Source: http://ralphhoweministries.com/the-line-in-time-2/

What should be included in your SOW?

• Glossary

Define all the acronyms that are to be used in your SOW, as well as all technical terms. It is important that the project is understandable to anyone, even if they are not familiar with the industry.

• Problem Statement

In this section the importance of the project comes to place. Describe the matter that will be addressed, the current situation of the firm at the moment and what wants to be achieved with the project.

• Objectives

Briefly describe your goals. Make sure they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely). Objectives can be social, economic, or technical. These objectives should be knowable at the termination of the agreement and deliverables should be listed.

• Schedule/ Timeline

This section is crucial as it defines the time scope of the project. All important dates have to be laid out. The dates should cover both the administrative part of the SOW as well as the specific dates of the tasks and deliverables.

• Individual Tasks

Outline what exactly has to be done. The manager of the project should allocate tasks to the team members so that they are completed by the most qualified for each. Tasks should be specifically described and measurable.

• Payment information

Specify how much the project is going to cost. It is also important to provide a plan of how each part of the project will be paid for as well as the team that will be performing the project.

• Administration

This section of the SOW is responsible of accounting for “other deliverables”, that is any meetings, calls, and conferences should be taken into consideration when building a SOW. That is because they are not a requirement for the end product of a task, but they still have to be performed by the team and a specific time should be established.

• Terms, conditions, and requirements

Define the terms that conditions the relationship between the client and the contractor. This area helps with the compliance and integrity of the project, as well as the aversion of any future confusion within the communication of both parties.

Conclusion

The success of any project comes from clear goals and expectations and the fact that they are agreed-upon. A SOW is a helpful tool that clarifies each task and deliverable from the project. When tasks are understood, the overall project becomes more realistic for the performing team and the client receives exactly what they asked for. To ensure a successful project from the beginning it is suggested that the creation of the SOW should include experts as well as important client stakeholders, this way experts listen to the needs of the clients directly and they can also advise them according to experience.

With the importance of technology, A&A provides digital consulting to a vast amount of valuable clients, targeting each of their personal needs and providing services to realize their business aspirations.For more information contact info@aa-limited.com