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A Statement of Work is a formal document that clearly describes what will be delivered within a project, what goals are set, what tasks will be solved, and what outcomes are expected. It serves as the foundation of collaboration between a client and a contractor. A well-written SOW helps avoid misunderstandings, fixes agreements in writing, and keeps the project under control at every stage.
A solid SOW always includes several essential sections: 1) Project goals — what problem needs to be solved and what results are expected. 2) Scope of work — the specific tasks to be completed. 3) Timeline — deadlines and milestones for the project. 4) Acceptance criteria — how to define whether the work is done correctly. 5) Budget — overall cost and possible expenses. Covering these points ensures clarity and minimizes risks of misinterpretation or gaps in cooperation.
A frequent mistake is keeping the SOW too general and avoiding details. This often causes confusion, unexpected costs, and conflicts. Common issues include missing deadlines, unclear quality criteria, vague scope of work, or ignoring external dependencies (such as access rights or third-party services). Another mistake is failing to address risks, which can turn minor delays into serious problems. The more detailed the document, the less chance for conflicts.
To create a good SOW, clients should: - Clearly define their business objectives. - Set priorities: what is critical and what is optional. - Put all agreements in writing, even if they seem obvious. - Add examples or references to reduce the risk of misinterpretation. - Before final approval, review the document from both perspectives: is it clear what, when, and at what cost will be done? This approach saves time, money, and nerves, while making the project move faster and more predictably.