Scope of Work Template

SCOPE OF WORK TEMPLATE FAQ

What is a scope of work?

A Scope of Work (SOW) is a document that describes what work will be performed for a project or service engagement. It defines deliverables, tasks, timelines, assumptions, responsibilities, and acceptance criteria so both sides know what is included (and excluded).

When should you use a scope of work?

Use a SOW when you provide services, run projects, or deliver work in phases — especially for consulting, development, marketing, design, and operations work. It’s commonly attached to a Professional Services Agreement or Master Services Agreement to detail the specific engagement.

What should be included in a scope of work?

Most SOWs include: project overview, goals, deliverables, milestones, timeline, roles and responsibilities, dependencies, acceptance criteria, pricing/payment terms (or a reference to them), and a change request process.

How do you prevent scope creep?

Define what’s included and excluded, require written change requests, set acceptance criteria, and tie new requests to timeline and pricing changes. This template includes a simple change control process to keep expectations aligned.

Should a scope of work include pricing?

It can. Some SOWs include pricing and payment schedules, while others reference a separate agreement. This template includes an optional section for fees and expenses so you can choose what fits your setup.

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