Scope Of Work: The function, importance and purpose in Project Management

If you are working in a corporate environment, you probably always hear the S.O.W. (short for Scope of Work) on the conversation among your peers. 

If you are in a Project Team, you are surely an active part of it. If you have not heard it, it doesn't mean you are/were not part of it.

So, what really is the Scope of Work? What is its function? How important it is to have a clear SOW? These are the basic question that everyone in the team or stakeholders should know about  However, it is not enough that it is known but should also be understood and acknowledge - most of the time by affixing the signature on it.

What is the Scope of Work?

Scope of Work is a set of description of work to be done in the Project, with the defined responsibilities per party and the ultimate objective of the work - or Project being deliberated. Most of the time, it discusses how the proponent wants a specific task is done, the methodology and manner to do it. In a sense, it contains the work specification.

In our everyday's life, we always have a scope of work: as a student, as a sibling, as a father, a mother and so on. In a basic definition of scope of work, it is the expectation we have from us and each other according to their responsibility and purpose to us.

What is the Function of SOW?

The SOW guides and formally draw the line of what should be done, how it is to be done and who should do it. As the project progress, occasionally the SOW must be revisited and reviewed to check if all the prior agreement are being followed. It is sacred document in the Project and whenever there is a disagreement, the team can return and confer on this document that they worked on together.

What is the Importance of the SOW?

In the event of disagreements, the SOW is one of the document that can tell which is accurate. Though, not all the times that it is correct thing to do especially if the project is in a dynamic set-up. Any delineation on the original SOW, means that there is something that has to be done - commercially and technically. Commercially, because there is cost involved and Technically because the method, manner and who should do it.

What is the purpose of the SOW in Project Management?

The SOW as a Formal Document, ties and bind everyone on the task that has to be done in order to meet the objective of the Project. It is legally binding especially if the scope of work is signed. This signifies, that each party has accepted that they are willing to undertake and deliver the tasks or activities written therein in accordance to the specification.

Without the SOW, the Project cannot start even if there is a goal to meet. It is like having a plan to go on the vacation but cannot agree on who will bring a car, contribution to give and so on.

The SOW is the most important part of the contract. 

There are more to learn on Scope of Work and I will make a continuation of the discussion more of it.

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