Digital services continually shape how businesses operate, with successful implementation hinging on effective project management and strategic planning. Using an IT statement of work template alongside a framework of legal terms in place (such as an IT master services agreement), is an effective tool to maximise success when it comes to project delivery and expedite deals quickly.
An IT statement of work template will typically include the project objectives, scope of work, timeline, milestones, roles and responsibilities, resources required, and any other project-specific terms. It will primarily consist of commercial terms related to the project, guiding the parties towards mutual goals, and describing exactly what works will be carried out to guarantee the digital services are carried out as expected.
What is this IT statement of work template?
An IT statement of work is a contract that outlines the essential terms for a specific project between an IT service provider and their customer. It serves as a roadmap, guiding both parties toward a common goal. This document defines the project, outlines the scope of work, identifies key roles and responsibilities, and manages expectations for the deliverables' standards.
The IT statement of work will typically be accompanied by another contract, such as a master services agreement. This contract sets the framework for the business relationship between the parties. While the framework agreement outlines the legal terms governing the relationship between the parties, the statement of work outlines the project-specific details.
The framework agreement can govern just one statement of work, or it can have several statements of work underneath it simultaneously, incorporating the terms of the MSA over time. For more information about how framework service agreements and statements of work together, read this blog.
What should be included in an IT statement of work template?
An IT statement of work template should include all of the key elements required for successful project completion. It should include project objectives, the scope of the services, any deliverables, timeline, milestones, dependencies or assumptions, acceptance testing criteria, and the relevant fees payable.
The key to preparing a robust IT statement of work is to ensure it has all of the important details relating to the services. An IT statement of work will serve as a proactive tool for mitigating risks if both parties have a comprehensive understanding of the project scope and requirements from the outset.
This IT statement of work template is for use where the transactions or projects that govern it will include digital services. If you are searching for a statement of work template for services that do not include digital or technology services, click here.
What are the advantages of using this IT statement of work template?
Close deals quickly: Formalising a project by using a statement of work with an existing IT framework agreement in place is a game-changer for efficient contract management. The framework agreement for IT services lays down the foundational legal terms, eliminating the need to rehash these details for each new project. With only a statement of work required to agree on commercial terms, businesses can dive straight into finalising project specifics, effectively leveraging the framework agreement as a shortcut to kick off projects swiftly.
Save costs: Negotiating legal agreements for each project can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. However, by leveraging the statement of work alongside an established framework agreement, businesses can streamline the contract process without the need to consult lawyers to finalise the legal terms for each new project. With the foundational legal terms already addressed, the statement of work serves as a concise document focusing solely on project-specific details. This minimises the need for continuous legal discussions and reduces the associated costs. By efficiently allocating legal resources and avoiding the rehashing of terms for each new project, businesses can save valuable time and resources, allowing them to focus on project execution and delivery.
To reduce mistakes and enhance consistency: Using this IT statement of work template will prompt you to include important details relating to each project. By explicitly defining project scope, objectives, deliverables, and timeline, the statement of work ensures alignment among all parties. This clarity reduces misunderstandings and develops a shared understanding of expectations, setting the stage for successful collaboration. A well-drafted IT statement of work template will therefore enhance consistency in the quality of your statements of work across your workforce.
Portraying professionalism: Presenting a comprehensive IT statement of work that includes all of the crucial project details reflects professionalism and dedication to precision. It communicates to clients that their projects are handled with meticulous care and attention to detail, with a clear roadmap to completion. This portrayal of professionalism not only instils confidence in clients but also strengthens your business reputation and credibility.
Who drafts the statement of work?
In most cases, particularly in the tech world, it is the supplier who drafts the statement of work as the supplier will have the best knowledge of its services. After this, the customer will review the IT statement of work template and confirm it is happy with its content. It is important to get the details within a statement of work right, as even a small error can have huge implications and lead to disputes later on down the line.
What are the key terms that an IT statement of work should include?
Key terms: This statement of work template includes the following key provisions:
• Scope of services;
• Deliverables;
• Assumptions/dependencies;
• Location of work;
• Who the project managers will be and the timings of project meetings;
• Payment terms and schedule;
• Customer responsibilities;
• Acceptance criteria; and
• How to terminate (get out of) the SoW if necessary.
Related templates
The IT master services agreement acts as the framework of legal terms that are signed before an IT statement of work is agreed upon. This contract governs the overall relationship between the service provider and the customer, while the IT statement of work defines the details of a particular project. The IT statement of work will incorporate the terms of the master services agreement, which means these contracts will work alongside each other to form the agreement between the parties.
Our IT master services agreement template can be found here.
After the legal framework is in place, one or more statements of work can be entered into for several different projects at a time. Once the content has been agreed and the IT statement of work is signed, the parties can commence the project.
If you need a statement of work template specifically for non-digital services, check out this template instead.
Why use Docue's IT statement of work template?
Consistency: Often, you simply want to finalise the deal, secure the business, and move forward with the project. To streamline your process and ensure consistency in your contracts with customers for each project, Docue's IT template covers all the necessary bases, guiding you to include crucial information in every IT statement of work. This means that the IT statement of work template provides users with the option to include key clauses every time they draft a new statement of work.
Quick creation and e-signature: The platform is user-friendly and intuitive. All you need to do is answer a series of questions to tailor it to suit your circumstances. Once you have finished creating the IT statement of work, you can send the contract to each party for e-signing.
Safe storage: Once signed, all of your contracts can be archived in Docue Drive to ensure you always have secure, quick and easy access to your legal documents in one place.
Tags: IT statement of work template, digital services sow.
