I’ve been freelancing for practically 6 years now (gosh, time flies). Initially I didn’t formalize my agreements with shoppers — no signed paperwork or contracts.
However as I gained extra expertise, I noticed that if I wished to develop my enterprise I needed to set floor guidelines and put them in writing. As soon as I launched contracts, which included a press release of labor, working with shoppers grew to become a lot simpler.
There’s something about contracts that encourages (most) individuals to observe the foundations. The extra work you tackle, the extra necessary it’s to prepare it correctly.
Belief me, scaling your small business and not using a contract is difficult, if not unattainable, to do. So in at this time’s put up I’m going to debate what a press release of labor is and the best way to create one.
Desk of Contents
What’s a press release of labor?
The assertion of labor (SOW) is a doc that describes intimately the scope of labor to be accomplished inside a venture. It’s legally binding if included inside a contract. It contains data akin to actions, deliverables, deadlines, and remuneration. This units the foundations and expectations for future cooperation. Earlier than making a venture plan and agreeing to execute it, you’ll first create and signal the SOW.
Obtain this free venture proposal template from HubSpot.
SOW vs. Contract
A contract is a authorized settlement between two firms, or an employer and worker, that describes the completion of particular work for an agreed price.
Whereas each SOWs and contracts are essential in enterprise and venture administration, they serve completely different features.
Let’s take a extra detailed have a look at how these two paperwork differ.
Goal
An SOW acts as an in depth venture plan that explains what have to be completed. It primarily focuses on duties and deliverables.
A contract, however, creates a authorized framework for the connection between events. It units phrases and circumstances, which information the connection together with rights and tasks. It explains intimately what is going to occur if one of many events fails to ship on the agreed phrases.
Content material and Construction
An SOW covers venture particulars, together with instruments, methodologies, timelines, acceptance standards, and so forth. Not like a contract, it’s written in simple to know language, with none jargon.
Contracts embody broader phrases and circumstances like legal responsibility, termination clauses, fee, and dispute decision procedures. They use formal authorized language to ensure enforceability.
Authorized Binding Nature
By itself a SOW is just not legally binding. It primarily acts as venture tips. A contract is a standalone authorized settlement, which if breached can draw authorized penalties.
Degree of Element
An SOW is venture particular and subsequently very detailed. It describes what must be completed and when, and may embody technical specs. A contract is extra generic, providing a excessive stage overview of the connection. You should use one contract for a number of tasks.
Flexibility and Adjustments
SOWs could be modified if wanted; if the scope of labor modifications or extra work is required, you may merely add it to the SOW.
Simply keep in mind that you simply would possibly want approval from related stakeholders. It’s not as simple to change a contract. It normally requires formal amendments and adherence to authorized protocols. Additionally, modifications can solely be made via mutual settlement.
Use Instances
A SOW is commonly utilized in venture administration contexts, akin to advertising and marketing campaigns or IT tasks that decision for particular deliverables and timelines. They’re significantly helpful when a number of stakeholders are concerned.
A contract can be utilized nearly in any context, together with vendor contracts, employment, and repair agreements. It’s particularly helpful to have one in place for long-term collaborations.
Assertion of Work vs. Scope of Work
A scope of labor is normally a part of a press release of labor. Sometimes, it could act as a standalone doc. It contains data on venture measurement, workforce objectives, and steps required to finalize the venture. Whereas these two phrases are sometimes used interchangeably, they check with completely different venture administration ideas. Listed here are the primary variations.
Goal
The principle intention of an SOW is to present an in depth overview of the venture and ensure that everybody concerned understands their tasks and expectations.
The scope of labor, because the title suggests, defines what a venture contains — what’s lined and what’s not. Defining particular duties and deliverables prevents scope creep.
Content material and Construction
An SOW covers venture goals, roles and tasks, timeline, fee phrases, and so forth. It focuses on each the “what” and “how” (i.e., the methodology).
The scope of labor incorporates detailed data on the duties and deliverables, akin to an outline of the work to be carried out, venture goals and objectives, key milestones, constraints, and exclusions.
Authorized Binding Nature
Each of them could be legally binding in the event that they’re included within the contract. As standalone paperwork, they don’t have any authorized energy.
Degree of Element
Since an SOW covers many venture particulars past the scope, it’s extra complete.
The scope of labor focuses particularly on the work to be completed, and contains high-level timelines and deliverables with out going into depth on administration and execution.
Flexibility and Adjustments
Modifying a complete SOW could be tougher, because it covers a number of features of the venture, and a single change can influence numerous parts. It may also require formal approval.
The scope of labor, however, is less complicated to vary because it solely applies to the work concerned. Whereas it would nonetheless require stakeholder approval, a change gained’t essentially influence different components of the venture.
Use Instances
The scope of labor is a part of an SOW, and each are utilized in complicated tasks that want detailed data to ensure profitable supply. For easier tasks, the scope of labor can be utilized as a separate doc to outline a job.
Each of those paperwork are sometimes included inside a contract to supply a full overview of the settlement.
Goal of a Assertion of Work
The principle intention of the assertion of labor is to ensure that all events clearly perceive their roles and tasks. At any time when I begin working with a brand new consumer, I signal a contract that features a assertion of labor.
I define once they must ship venture briefs, what number of revisions they’re entitled to, what is going to occur in the event that they fail to supply suggestions on time, and so forth.
Together with such particulars not solely helps me ship tasks on time, but additionally helps keep away from misunderstandings. It additionally permits for some flexibility in how we work collectively.
Kinds of SOWs
Design
Design SOWs revolve across the design and growth of providers or merchandise, however you’ve in all probability figured it out by yourself. They record particular design-related duties, like analysis, prototyping, and testing.
The contractor’s function is to ship a design, which is in step with consumer necessities. The SOW outlines milestones for design evaluations and approvals.
The web site design template beneath provides you an thought of what such a SOW may appear to be.
Degree of Effort
For those who’re not sure how lengthy it can take you to finalize the venture, or what sources you’ll want, it’s greatest to go together with the extent of effort SOW.
Additionally known as time and materials, this strategy includes paying for the hours labored together with any supplies used to do the job.
The sort of assertion of labor is normally utilized in consulting providers or agile tasks, that are liable to altering necessities.
Efficiency-Primarily based
Efficiency-based SOWs prioritize venture outcomes over the method. They supply an summary of the objectives and goals that contractors are obliged to realize. Funds depend upon the achievement of the predefined metrics.
The sort of SOW is greatest used when you may have a particular goal in thoughts, for instance, rising on-line gross sales by 30%.
Parts of an SOW
Let’s check out what must be included in a press release of labor. Since I’m a contract content material marketer, I’ll use examples from my very own tasks associated to Search engine marketing weblog writing.
Introduction
This part explains the work that might be completed and offers basic details about the venture, together with who might be concerned.
In my case, the introduction may very well be:
“This Assertion of Work outlines the Search engine marketing weblog writing providers to be supplied by Anna Rubkiewicz for HubSpot. The venture includes creating optimized weblog content material to enhance natural search rankings, drive visitors, and have interaction goal audiences. Each events comply with the phrases outlined on this doc.”
Goal Assertion
The aim assertion addresses the explanations for beginning the venture. It discusses the primary goals, covers deliverables, and defines what success appears like for various stakeholders.
Right here is an instance:
“The aim of this venture is to reinforce HubSpot‘s on-line presence via Search engine marketing-focused weblog content material. The important thing goals embody rising web site visitors, bettering search engine rankings, and offering worthwhile data to the audience. The venture goals to ship 12 high-quality weblog posts over the course of 4 months that align with the consumer’s content material technique.”
Scope of Work
This part lists all of the duties which must be accomplished on the venture. It supplies an in depth overview of the processes, together with time frames (they are often estimated), and a venture scope which incorporates all of the important data.
“Anna Rubkiewicz will present the next providers:
- Analysis and determine related subjects primarily based on Search engine marketing key phrases supplied by the consumer.
- Write 12 weblog posts (roughly 1,500 phrases every) optimized for search engines like google.
- Embrace inside and exterior hyperlinks the place acceptable.
- Present meta titles and descriptions for every weblog put up.
- Embrace graphics with alt textual content.”
I full tasks on a month-to-month foundation so if I comply with ship three articles per 30 days, I state within the SOW that I’ll ship all articles by the tip of the month.
The place the Work Will Be Accomplished
This half explains the place the work might be completed, remotely or at a particular location.
It additionally particulars all of the gear and software program that might be used. I work remotely and talk with my shoppers through electronic mail or Slack, and ship all articles in Google Docs.
Duties
This part breaks down all of the steps you included within the scope of labor into extra detailed duties. Right here is an instance:
- Key phrase Analysis. Collaborate with the consumer to determine goal key phrases and subjects.
- Analysis and Define Section. Analysis the subject and create an overview.
- Writing Section. Draft and submit the weblog put up for consumer assessment.
- Revisions. Implement suggestions and finalize the weblog posts.
Milestones
That is the place you embody the venture timeline, akin to the beginning and end dates, billable hours, and every other scheduling specifics.
Since I normally work with shoppers long run, as an alternative of together with a end date, I ask them for one month’s discover in the event that they want to finish our cooperation.
Deliverables
This part lists venture deliverables with their due dates and detailed descriptions. It helps set expectations for all of the stakeholders. My deliverables would come with:
- 3 Search engine marketing-optimized weblog posts per 30 days (roughly 1,500 phrases every).
- Meta titles and descriptions for every weblog put up.
- A report summarizing key phrase analysis and matter choices.
Schedule
Within the schedule part, you may embody an in depth timeline for every deliverable.
Personally, I don’t embody precise dates. As an alternative, I inform my shoppers how a lot time they’ve to finish a given step.
For instance, I give them three days to supply suggestions on the define and three days to assessment the draft. From my perspective, setting a time restrict is the one solution to assure well timed venture completion.
Venture Success
This a part of the SOW defines the success metrics. It may very well be the supply of high-quality weblog posts which are well-written and Search engine marketing optimized and generate natural visitors after publication.
Venture Necessities
Record every part you have to efficiently ship the venture, together with instruments and gear.
At any time when the venture includes key phrase analysis, I ask the consumer to grant me entry to Google Analytics and export the key phrases they’re at present rating for.
I additionally put a powerful emphasis on common communication and well timed suggestions.
Cost Phrases
That is in all probability one of the vital necessary sections for any freelancer or enterprise proprietor. It outlines the way you’ll receives a commission — upfront or after delivering the venture — and particulars how a lot time the consumer has to settle the bill.
I difficulty all my invoices on the finish of the month and provides my shoppers two weeks to pay through financial institution switch.
Here’s a prepared work-order template from HubSpot that you may obtain to doc the work you’ve carried out and ask for fee.
Closure
The closure half explains how deliverables might be accepted and signed off. My shoppers merely must electronic mail me to verify that the ultimate draft has been accepted and no additional revisions are essential.
If I submit the ultimate draft and don’t hear again inside 5 days, I assume the article requires no further revisions and shut the duty. Naturally, that is one thing that my shoppers are conscious of and have agreed to.
Begin each venture with a press release of labor.
At first, you would possibly suppose that making a SOW is plenty of effort.
However when you think about all the advantages — akin to avoiding misunderstandings, setting clear expectations, dividing duties effectively, and guaranteeing well timed funds, it shortly proves to be price it.
Consider me, you can’t develop your small business or ship work on time with out creating some floor guidelines. And when you put these guidelines in writing, they’re going to have much more influence.
