Statement of work: [Project name]

How to use this template

  1. Agree the scope in conversation first; this document records it. Make a copy for each new project.

  2. Make every line checkable: a quantity for each piece of work, a test anyone could run in “Accepted when”, and a date or a dependency for each milestone. The example under the deliverables shows how.

  3. For pricing, write either a fixed fee (“Fixed fee of $6,400 for the deliverables above”) or time and materials with a cap (“$95 per hour, not to exceed $6,400 without written approval”). The payments must add up to the total.

  4. If a master agreement covers this work, name it in the grid and delete section 9. Then delete this box, the example and the checklist, and send the SOW for review and signature.

Client

Provider

Organization

Represented by

Contact

Address

SOW number

Date

Start

End

Master agreement

None: this SOW stands alone, with the terms in section 9

1. Purpose

The client's problem, what this work produces, and how they will use it.

2. Scope

In scope

Out of scope

  • Revisions, as set out in section 5

Anything not listed as in scope is out of scope, and can be added through a change request (section 8).

3. Deliverables and acceptance criteria

ID

Deliverable

Format

Accepted when

Due

D1

D2

D3

See an example

In scope: 8 blog articles of 600–900 words; a kickoff call and a 30-minute call each week
Out of scope: images, translation, publishing to the website

D1: Article outlines · a Google Doc with 8 outlines · each covers a topic on the approved list and names its target keyword · 2026-11-14

Milestone: First four articles · D2 · 2026-12-05 · depends on the client's feedback on D1 by 2026-11-21

4. Schedule and milestones

Milestone

Includes

Target date

Depends on

Kickoff

This SOW signed

Final delivery

5. Acceptance process

  1. Provider sends each deliverable to [name, email] with a note on how it meets its acceptance criteria.

  2. Client reviews it within [5] business days and either accepts it in writing or lists the criteria it does not meet.

  3. Provider fixes those points within [5] business days. [Two] rounds of revisions per deliverable are included; more go through a change request.

  4. If Client does not respond within the review period, the deliverable is accepted.

6. Responsibilities and assumptions

  • Client will:

    • provide [access, files, brand assets] by [date];

    • name one person who approves deliverables: [name].

  • Provider will:

    • send a short status update every [weekday]: done, next, blocked;

    • raise any risk to a date as soon as it is known.

  • Both parties agree:

    • if a client input arrives late, every date that depends on it moves by the same number of business days.

  • Assumptions:

7. Fees and payment

Pricing:

Expenses:

Payment trigger

Amount

Due

This SOW signed

D1 accepted

Final deliverable accepted

Total

Invoices to:

8. Changes

Either party may request a change in writing. Provider replies within [3] business days with its effect on scope, dates and fees. A change takes effect only when both parties approve it in writing, and it is logged below.

#

Change

Effect on dates and fees

Approved by, date

9. General terms

Delete this section if a master agreement covers this work. Not legal advice.

  • Ownership. Once paid in full, Client owns the final deliverables. Provider keeps its own tools, methods and know-how, and [may / may not] show the work in its portfolio.

  • Confidentiality. Each party keeps the other's non-public information confidential and uses it only for this work, during the term and for [two] years after.

  • Termination. Either party may end this SOW with [14] days' written notice. Client pays for work done up to the end date and for expenses already committed.

  • Liability. Except for breaches of confidentiality, each party's total liability under this SOW is limited to the fees paid under it.

  • Governing law. This SOW is governed by the laws of [state or country].

Sign-off

By signing, both parties agree to this statement of work.

For the Client

For the Provider

Signature

Name

Title

Date

Before you sign

  • The parties' legal names and the representatives' titles are exact

  • Every deliverable has a format, an acceptance test and a date

  • Every client input a date depends on is listed with its own date

  • The payments add up to the total fee

  • Every bracket is filled in, and the grey hints, the example and this box are deleted