Statement of Work template

Free Statement of Work (SOW) Template in Docusign

Once a Master Services Agreement has established the general terms, a Statement of Work is the essential document used to kick off each new project. Docusign provides a free, editable statement of work template that clearly outlines the project specifics.

• The SOW requires the Project Title and a unique SOW Reference Number for tracking.

• You must reference the date of the governing Master Services Agreement (or equivalent contract).

• Once the scope and fees are detailed, the statement of work SOW  must be signed by the authorised representatives of both the Client and the Service Provider to be fully executed.

Overview of the Statement of Work

This Statement of Work formalises a single project within a long-term commercial relationship. It is a project-specific contract that governs the provision of services by the Service Provider to the Client.

The SOW is vital because it acts as the primary tool for managing expectations, deadlines, and project costs. It minimises "scope creep"—the tendency for project requirements to expand without corresponding adjustments in time or budget—by requiring a formal Change Control process for any deviations.

Who This Template Is For

This statement of work template is intended for use by a Client and a Service Provider who already have a pre-existing general contract (like an MSA) in place. It is suitable for defining short, medium, or long-term projects in fields such as:

• IT and Software Development: Defining deliverables like system modules, code updates, or specific testing phases.

• Consulting and Advisory Services: Detailing the objectives of an analysis, report creation, or strategy development.

• Creative and Marketing Services: Specifying the number of campaigns, designs, or content pieces to be delivered.

Key Sections of the Scope of Work Template

The clarity of the scope of work template is paramount to project success. The template is structured around defining the what, when, and how much:

• Scope of Work (Clause 3): Provides a detailed, specific description of the services the Service Provider will perform, focusing on the objective of the activities .

• Deliverables (Clause 4): Lists the specific, measurable outputs the Client expects to receive, along with a firm Due Date for each.

• Acceptance Criteria (Clause 5): This is crucial for payment and project closure. It specifies the objective, measurable standards each deliverable must meet to be considered accepted by the Client.

• Fees and Payment Schedule (Clause 6): Defines the total fee (exclusive of VAT) and links specific payments to milestones, deliverables, or the project’s commencement/completion.

• Assumptions (Clause 7): Clearly lists factors outside the Service Provider's control that the success of the project depends upon (e.g., timely Client input) .

• Client Responsibilities (Clause 8): Defines mandatory actions the Client must perform, such as providing a point of contact or reviewing deliverables within a set timeframe.