What is a Statement of Work Review?
A Statement of Work (SOW) is a legal document between a client and vendor, such as a supplier or service provider. It explains the project they will be undertaking, providing clarity on timelines and deliverables.
A Statement of Work is highly beneficial during complex tasks because you don’t want vague or confusing terms to result in delays or disputes between parties.
Read the rest of this article to explore what terms are included in a Statement of Work, how to read through it closely, and why you should hire a qualified lawyer for help with the Statement of Work review process.
What Key Terms Should You Review in a Statement of Work?
A Statement of Work includes core terms that you should check for accuracy and clarity. These are:
- Parties. The agreement should identify the parties involved in the agreement.
- Purpose. This outlines the project purpose and what it hopes to achieve.
- Work scope. By specifying what tasks will be required, parties gain clarity. This section should also include what tasks are excluded to prevent issues such as scope creep.
- Tasks. The project should be broken down into smaller tasks or phases.
- Deliverables. This explains what products or services must be delivered, and by what deadlines.
- Location. Mention the location, such as on-site or remote, where the work will be completed.
- Ownership. To prevent disagreements between parties, the SOW should state who owns the deliverables once they have been submitted.
- Criteria. The conditions or requirements to be met for the project to be approved by the client must be outlined.
- Payment. This details all payment terms, such as if the project is paid according to a fixed price. A budget should also be included.
What are Tips for Reviewing a Statement of Work?
Once you have the key terms to look for in a Statement of Work, you should consider some tips for reviewing it thoroughly.
Include Background on the Project
It’s useful to check the Statement of Work for information about the conditions or decisions that contributed to the project being required. This helps parties to have more details, helping them to execute the project according to the required standards.
Check for a Clear Framework
You want to check that the Statement of Work provides details regarding outcomes and goals. This mustn’t be vague as it will guide parties to make decisions together.
Specify Work Requirements
It’s not enough for the Statement of Work to simply list the activities and scope of work. There should be additional information provided, such as what equipment and software will be required.
Understand the Process
Your SOW must clarify the process parties need to follow when completing their work tasks, such as the steps involved or what tasks should be completed before others. This provides support while assisting you with outlining all costs.
Look for Clear Roles
To ensure accountability, your SOW must explain parties’ duties and responsibilities. This helps everyone to understand their expectations and it prevents work overlap.
Write it Clearly
If the SOW isn’t clearly written in easy-to-understand language, it can cause disputes. Flag any sentence that is challenging to understand so you can revise it or discuss it with the other party.
Review it Regularly
You should review your statement of work regularly to ensure that it still applies to the project and parties’ goals. It should also be aligned with your Master Services Agreement (MSA) to provide consistency across documents.
How Can a Lawyer Help You With a Statement of Work Review?
Although you don’t always need to hire a lawyer to review your statement of work, it’s advisable to help you prevent potential pitfalls. Here’s how a lawyer will assist you with a thorough review.
- They’ll explain the work scope, such as services and deliverables, so that everything is clear for both parties to understand.
- They’ll clear up ambiguous language so that you minimize your risk of disputes.
- They’ll review all payment terms and schedules to ensure they’re fair.
- They’ll consider all performance expectations so that they’re reasonable to meet.
- They’ll allocate risk fairly between parties.
- They’ll protect parties’ intellectual property rights, such as in terms of data and software.
- They’ll ensure that the statement of work is legal and complies with applicable laws and industry regulations.
- They’ll assess your specific situation to check that the SOW clearly aligns with other documents, such as the master agreement, and your business goals.
Where to Find a Lawyer to Review Your Statement of Work
If you want to ask a lawyer to review your statement of work, you don’t have to call traditional law firms or ask people in your networks. Going to an online legal platform can help you to easily connect with the right lawyer.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that gives you access to a network of vetted lawyers in your location. You can ask a lawyer on the platform to review your SOW for clarity by following these easy steps online:
1. Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace and post your project for free. Try to include a few details of what you need so you’re matched with the most suitable lawyers.
2. Wait for lawyer bids. You’ll receive multiple bids from lawyers on the platform who are experienced to assist you.
3. Review the lawyer profiles. After receiving the lawyer bids, review the lawyers' profiles. There’s lots of info on the platform to help you choose the best lawyer, such as their location, client ratings for previous projects, expertise, and years of experience.
4. Connect with a lawyer you think is best suited to your requirements and hire them to review your statement of work for a flat fee.
