Statement of Work (SOW)
The project-level document defining scope, price, and schedule under an MSA.
What it means
A statement of work (SOW) is the project-level document that defines a specific engagement — tasks, deliverables, timeline, price, and acceptance criteria — usually issued under a master service agreement that supplies the general legal terms. Each SOW is typically signed separately and becomes its own mini-contract inside the larger relationship. The term overlaps with 'scope of work': in practice, a statement of work tends to be a standalone signed document, while a scope of work is often a section inside a contract.
Why it matters before you sign
The SOW is where a vague promise becomes a measurable commitment — pin down deliverables, deadlines, and what 'done' means, because the MSA's terms apply to whatever the SOW says.
In a contract, it looks like this
SOW #2 under the master service agreement covered the website redesign: four deliverables, a twelve-week schedule, and a fixed fee of $28,000.
This definition is a general, educational explanation — not legal advice. XOsign provides AI-assisted document tools and does not provide legal advice; consider consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Requirements vary by state.
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