Statement of Work (SOW)
Definition
A formal document that defines what you will deliver, by when, for how much, and under what assumptions — often attached to or referenced by a master agreement. It spells out deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, change control, and commercial terms so both sides agree on “done” before work starts. (Many teams use “scope of work” for the operational outline and reserve “statement of work” for the contract-ready version; in practice the terms overlap.)
Why It Matters
A strong SOW is the main defense against scope creep and invoice disputes. If it is not written down and signed, “I assumed that was included” becomes expensive rework. It also speeds approvals: finance and legal can review one artifact instead of chasing scattered emails.
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