Scope Of Work in Engineering economy The scope of work (SOW) is the most important stage of the discovery process because it lays out the foundation for the future of the project. The SOW should contain milestones, deadlines, deliverables, and expectations. If a scope of work is not clear and detailed the likelihood of failure or miscommunication with the client increases. The SOW provides the necessary direction for the project.

1. (Scope Of Work)
Student Name: Copyright
Class 4th Stage
Course Title: Subject Economy
Department: Geomatics Department
College of Engineering
Salahaddin University-Erbil
Academic Year 2019-2020

2. 1
Abstract
The scope of work (SOW) is the most important stage of the discovery process
because it lays out the foundation for the future of the project. The SOW should
contain milestones, deadlines, deliverables, and expectations. If a scope of work is
not clear and detailed the likelihood of failure or miscommunication with the client
increases. The SOW provides the necessary direction for the project. This allows
the client to address all important deadlines and ideas prior to receiving any
deliverable. The SOW also allows for the provider to address anything that needs
clarification as well as understand the expectations prior to the next step. This step
aligns the vision and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a successful end
product.

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Table of Content
Contents
Abstract ................................................................................................................ 1
Table of Content .................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3
What is a Scope of Work?................................................................................ 3
Methods……………………………………………………………...……. …...…7
Tips for Defining the scope of work ………………………………................ 7
1. use obvious language………………………………………………...…7
2. smart goals………………………………..........………………......…...8
Implementation………………………………………...………………...….9
How to write a statement of work (sow) in 7 simple step……………………...10
What should be included in Scope of Work? ....................................................11
5 must-haves for effective SOWs.................................................................14
How Detailed Should a Scope of Work Be?...........................................15
Sample Scope of Work Breakdown for a Digital Project…….......………16
Scope of an Information and Communication System……………………….17
Conclusion...........................................................................................................18
Reference.............................................................................................................18

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Introduction
What is a Scope of Work?
A construction project scope of work, sometimes called a statement of work, is like
a playbook for every project. The scope of work tells a story. It includes the work
to be done on a project, how the workers should complete the job, and who on the
team is responsible for completing the different tasks on the project. A formal
scope of work should be clear and concise, simple enough for a construction
manager or worker to understand. Every member working on a construction
project should be trained on how to write a scope of work for a construction
project. In otherwise The Scope of Work (SOW) is the area in an agreement where
the work to be performed is described. The SOW should contain any milestones,
reports, deliverables, and end products that are expected to be provided by the
performing party. The SOW should also contain a time line for all deliverables.
The problem with most Scopes of Work is a lack of specificity, namely, when the
two partiesdisagree on what should have been delivered and a review of the SOW
does not support one interpretation over the other. This problem is common in
research agreements and is often where disputes arise. The best way to avoid this
problem is to avoid any and all ambiguity.
A Scope of Work should include the following components:
1. Glossary
2. Problem Statement
3. Goals of the Agreement
4. Objectives of the Agreement/Deliverables
5. Administration 6. Timeline.

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1. Glossary
In the Glossary, spell out each acronym used in the SOW. Also include definitions
of odd or unusual terms. Think about the document from the perspective of
someone who does not work in the particular industry or discipline.
2. Problem Statement
Succinctly describe the problem that this research will address (1 or 2 paragraphs is
fine). Describe the scientific and technological baseline, that is, the current state-
of-the-art or developmental status of the field to be advanced.
3. Goals of the Agreement
At the beginning of this section, complete the following sentence (please be
succinct): The goal of this project is to…
Complete the sentence with a brief description of the goal(s) and how the goal(s)
will be met. Goals can be technical, economic or social. Please be brief, two to
three sentences maximum.
4. Objective of the Agreement/Deliverables
Complete this section with the objectives of the project, which are things that will
be measurable or knowable at the end of this agreement—this is where the
deliverables should be listed. Deliverables are comprised of a task and an end
product.
Poor Example:
Task: Assess class needs for public health awareness.

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Deliverable: Write curriculum to address needs.The problem with the above
example is that nothing is specified. The task should have
measurable in it and the deliverable must be quantifiable.
Good Example:
Task: Survey 4 classes of 20 students in asthma awareness. Each class will answer
a 25 question survey that assesses their general knowledge of asthma issues as they
relate to public health. One reviewer should take about 1 hour with each class to
take the survey and another 2 hours per class to assess the data. Deliverable: A 10-
hour curriculum for graduate student classes of up to 20 students that addresses
issues of deficiencies in public health awareness in asthma prevention and care.
By reading the task and deliverables, the administrative personnel should be able to
construct the budget associated with the SOW. More importantly, in reviewing the
deliverables, there should be no question about what is expected of the performing
party. A SOW may contain many deliverables, but each should be broken down
into tasks and end products to specify what is expected.
5. Administration
If there are meetings, calls, conferences, or other “soft” deliverables, they should
be outlined in the administration portion of the SOW. Any requirement that is not
an end product of a specific task, but is required of the performing party, needs to
be described in the administration section of the SOW.
Poor Example:
PI will be required to give weekly reports of progress during the soy bean season
with more frequent reports during the height of the season.

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The problem with the above example is that it does not specify what needs to be in
the reports, what “more frequent” means, and when the “height of the season” is.
Example:
PI will be required to give weekly reports consisting of: wind pattern analysis,
fungi spore distribution, and potential risk areas. During the height of the season,
May 15-July 15, the PI may be required to give twice-weekly reports.
6. Timeline
This section lays out all dates for the project. It states dates for the tasks and
deliverables. It also covers the dates for the administration portion of the SOW.
Between the Glossary, Problem Statement, Goals of the Agreement, Objectives
/Deliverables, and Administration components of the SOW, there should be no
ambiguity as to what is expected of the performing party. Together, these elements
should paint a thorough picture of what is expected, when, and in what form, while
noting any special requirement

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Methods
Tips for Defining the Scope of Work
1. Use obvious language
As mentioned previously, the scope of work needs to be clear and concise. Leaving
room for interpretation can increase the risk of claims, litigation, and other related
problems. Remember, not everyone involved in the contract may know the
construction jargon you and your team are familiar with using. A section dedicated
to terms and conditions or a glossary paves the way for a clear understanding of the
terms used in the contract.
2. Break down the project
Outline your project in broad terms, maybe start with the location and overarching
project goals. Then, create a high-level model of who will be working on the
project and what types of subcontractors will you need to hire. Next, think about
the timing for everyone involved in the project and how different kinds of subs will
overlap throughout the project. Breaking down the project by who, what, and when
on a very granular level will help bring clarity to the scope of work.
3. Solidify objectives and deliverables
The project manager must verify the objectives and deliverables stated in the
contract. Objectives and deliverables comprise the foundation of a scope of work
and need to be defined to keep a project on track. When a project steers off course,
it affects timelines and budgets. Defining responsible parties for each task or
objective BEFORE a project begins is an integral part of preventing delays and
costly changes.

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4. Visuals designs, diagrams
Visual models of the project design can also define objectives and deliverables. All
types of subcontractors, from framing to drywall, should be able to view project
designs and diagrams. After all, they are the ones who will be carrying out the
work drawn out in the design phase of a project. Subcontractors are masters at their
profession and need to have access to design documents. Through BIM software,
subcontractors can virtually access designs and building models, while architects
and designers can show what the project would look like at each milestone.
5. Signoffs
As the project manager finalizes the SOW, they should have contractors sign off
on each objective for the project. Having signoffs on the individual goals and
milestones strengthens the original contract. When everyone signs off on the
benchmarks, they are saying that they agree with them. That way, if someone
wishes to change the scope, they’ll have to submit a new deliverable or change
order. Plus, signing off on individual objectives and milestones protects all parties.
Therefore, when everyone agrees to the pillars and goals, it protects parties in case
a dispute arises.
Smart Goals
Specific – Be specific about the goal you want to accomplish. Use the ‘w’
questions (who, what, when, where, and why) to help define and clarify your goals.
Measurable – Using metrics to help determine if you’ve met your goals is a great
way to track tangible progress. Setting milestones with specific, quantifiable goals
for each stage of the project can help indicate if the project is on track.

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Achievable – Goals need to be reasonably achievable to inspire motivation instead
of discouragement. Make sure to access your team’s capabilities to ensure your
goals are attainable.
Relevant – Make sure your goals make sense with a broader objective. For
example, if the goal is to complete a project, make sure the goal aligns with your
company’s purpose.
Timely – Providing a targeted timeline is imperative, especially when working on
construction projects. Timing should include a start and end date and any
milestones you reach along the way. Creating time-based constraints generates a
sense of urgency and helps keep the project on track and workers motivated.
Implementation
Before creating a scope of work, you’ll want to find the right template that will fit
your upcoming project. Check with your company if they prefer a specific format
or provide a standardized template for a scope of work. Look at an example of a
previous scope that your company successfully used to complete a project to guide
you.Creating a scope of work for your next construction project is only half the
battle, making sure your team has easy access to view the scope is the other.
Hosting your statement of work in a centralized location through a project
management software provides online documentation so that employees can refer
back to it throughout the project. If updates or changes to the scope of work are
required, amendments to the original scope live on your project management
platform for everyone to view.
Therefore, documenting not only your scope of work, but all construction
documents are crucial to keeping records available and ready to view.

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How to Write a Statement of Work (Sow) In 7 Simple Steps?
1. Break it up
Don’t scope what you don’t know. Rather than trying to create a statement of work
for an entire project, split the project into phases and develop separate statements
of work for each phase as the project progresses.
2. Make a plan
Decide what you’re doing and how. Define the deliverables, and the process
required to produce them so you can clearly articulate what’s in and what’s out of
project scope.
3. Put it into context
Explain why you’re doing it. Make the purpose of the process clear so even if the
specifics of the plan evolve, the statement of work is clear on how you’ll know if
the process was a success.
4. Be specific
Set the project’s boundaries. Minimise the risk of misinterpretation from your
client by defining the extent of the work to done, and quantifying it wherever
possible so they don’t expect more than they’re paying for.
5. Make assumptions
Lay the ground rules. Use project scope statements to explain mutual expectations
and what has to hold true to properly execute the project, being clear about what’s
included, and what’s not.
6. Make it simple
Be clear and concise. Make it as short as possible, avoid words with multiple
interpretations, and ensure it’s easy to understand.
7. Share it

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Make sure everyone knows. Keep it close, and know the statement of work
yourself – making sure your client and team are clear on what’s in and what’s out
by providing helpful reminders throughout the project.
What should be included in Scope of Work?
The scope of work template will clearly define all the work involved and the
deliverables to be completed. It should be an easy-to-read professional document
with deadlines and task times explicitly stated. Ensure that the document is
accurate and that the writing is specific and thorough. In this guide, we’ll provide
you with a free statement of work template that you can customize to your niche
and field for any project.
Project Introduction Before you get into the project specifics, it’s important to
start from the broadest information and then work your way down to the more
specific details. After naming the project, the next section of the statement of work
template is the background explanation of the project. This section briefly
describes the type of work that the project entails and identifies both parties, the
client and the outside contractor.
Project Overview After the basics are covered, you’ll want to describe the
primary goal of the project and address the end-results that the client and
contractor are hoping to achieve.
Description of Services or Goods The next section is called the description of
services and describes the services to be completed. You’ll want to specify whether
you are performing a service or completing something tangible.
Task list in this section, you’ll want to break down the large scope of your project
into smaller actionable steps. This section is important because it also gives out a

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timeframe for each particular step. Make sure these deadlines are realistic for you
to reach. Tasks are not to be mistaken for deliverables, or quantifiable goods or
services that will be completed at the end of a project. Tasks are specific actions
that are completed in order to get to the end result of the project to complete the
deliverables.
Deliverables This section lists all project deliverables and a description of each.
The project deliverables section of your statement of work template doc is where
you list what exactly your client will receive at the end of the project.
Out of Scope This is another important section because you will want to specify
deliverables or tasks that will not be completed or provided at the end of the
project. You’ll want to spell out what this project will not accomplish and what
goals will not be met. This section is a great way to clear up miscommunication
down the road. It also prevents additional tasks being added or the project being
expanded, without additional time or budget being accounted for and keeps the
project on track.
Payment Terms & Invoicing for the Payment Terms and Invoicing Section, you’ll
want to get as specific as possible and include estimated costs, delivery timeframes,
and payment terms. How and when will payments be made? Will invoices be paid
at the end of each task timeframe or deliverable, on a set schedule, or within a
certain monthly or weekly timeframe? You’ll also want to address topics such as
what will happen if deadlines get missed or if the scope of the work increases.
Period of Performance This section estimates and describes how long the project
is going to take and describes the important milestones of the project. Specify if the
project has a specific end dates and estimate the completion of the project with a set
timeframe.

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Expected Outcomes This section addresses the project outcomes you want to
achieve for the client. For example, will the expected outcome be an increase in
website traffic or a certain percentage in the increase of sales? What is the business
objective in this project and how will it be measured and reported?
Project Management Finally, this last section of the sow template download is
where you can detail any missing information that is discussed between you and the
client and get your agreements in writing. This is a catch-all section that goes over
what the other sections might not cover, such as who will be signing off for
deliverables, approving changes, confidentiality, and other requirements that need
to be agreed upon. Define the terms you’re using in the scope of work template doc
and any conditions or requirements that aren’t already made clear.

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5 must-haves for effective SOWs
Before we move on, there’s just a couple points I want to make absolutely clear.
Yes, I probably sound like a broken record here, but clarity and detail are essential
to an effective SOW. So as you’re writing your SOW, make absolutely sure that it
hits all these must haves:
1. Explicit Details: If it’s not on the SOW, don’t assume it will get done. This means
including assumptions on effort, time, and resources.
Table 1: an example for project's scope of work

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2. Visualizations: Wherever possible show what you’re talking about rather than try
to explain it. Visualizations, pictures, and examples go a long way in explaining
your goals and needs.
3. Definitions for any terminology: Again, the golden rule of SOWs is “thou shalt
not assume.” If there are business terms, phrases, or acronyms in your SOW, make
sure they are defined.
4. Time for reviews: A SOW is a plan. But at their best, plans are just educated
guesses. Make sure your project schedule and deliverable timeline has space in it
for reviews, pivots, and unexpected changes in priorities.
5. Success definitions: Probably the most important aspect of an effective SOW is
both parties being aligned in what success looks like. If it’s at all unclear what you
want to achieve at the end, rewrite it.
Also A good SOW avoids some of the biggest project management traps, such as:
 Confusion, miscommunication, and disputes over scope
 Misinterpretations of expectations and needs
 “Selective Amnesia” of what was said and the need for expensive rework
How Detailed Should a Scope of Work Be?
The challenging question for project managers when writing the statement of work
is deciding how much detail to include.
If you’re too scant in the details, it leaves a lot open to interpretation so there’s
flexibility to manoeuvre and pivot, but also opportunity for a client to try their luck
in getting things included within the project scope that weren’t included.
But include too much detail in the statement of work (SOW), you’ll find that
you’re stuck with an inflexible process and deliverables that might not be adding to
the overall value of the project. We rarely know exactly how a project is going to
go at the beginning of a project, so overly-defining it not only takes a long time to

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write and get approved but you’ll find it makes it difficult to pivot the project when
necessary as you’ve defined away any flexibility.
So you need to strike the balance of making sure the statement of work gets signed
off quickly while still ensuring that you’re raising the questions and covering off
potential problem areas.
Of course, there are lots of other things that you could put into a scope of work like
– definitions, project team, resource plans, supplier and client responsibilities,
acceptance criteria, specific service levels, reports, and that’s just the tip of the
iceberg.
So how detailed do you need to go? Well, if you think that there could be any
doubt or disagreement about anything in your statement of work, you probably
need to clarify if further. When projects go bad, the first place that the client will
reference is the statement of work – so if it’s not detailed enough, add in the detail.
You don’t want to bring up the statement of work, but when you do, it’s worth
having done it properly.
Sample Scope of Work Breakdown for a Digital Project
For most projects your statement of work then, should have two distinct parts. The
first section outlines the over-arching project information (which you can often
borrow from a previous project); the second section defines the detail of each
phase of the project.
Here’s a sample statement of work breakdown:
Project Information
 Project Summary
 Project Process
 Project Milestones
 Overall Project Governance
 Terms and Conditions
 General Assumptions
Phase breakdown
 Phase [n]: [Phase name]

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 Phase description
 Deliverables and Assumptions
 Milestones + schedule
 Budget + payment
 Approvals
 Appendix A: Deliverable Descriptions
More Statement of Work Examples
Because Sow documents are such a massive undertaking, I’ve put together a
complete sample Statement of Work that can help anyone who wants to get a
jumpstart on their Sow in project management. The example Statement of Work
and a Sow template for you to fill out are available in DPM Membership. I’d love
to have you in our community of 350+ active and growing digital project
managers!
Scope of an Information and Communication System
The entire project information and communication system can be structured as
follows:
• Verbal communication: e.g. discussions, meetings, problem-solving sessions
and cooperation on the content of workshops
• Reporting: minutes, progress reports, revisions, etc.
• Project documentation: project handbook (folder), project-specific files
• Project marketing: e.g. lobbying, creating trust and acceptance
• Exchange of data and collaboration over the intranet or Internet
The components do not all need to carry the same weight within a project. In a
research project, for example, the logbook for recording data on an ongoing basis
may be important, while almost no marketing will be needed. Or in a change
project, it is the verbal communication and marketing that are important. Greater
significance will be placed on the documentation in an ICT project.

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Conclusion
The scope of work needs to explain all the work involved in every step of a project.
The elements should include a project overview, scope, deliverables, schedule, and
management. Using the various tips, we provided, combined with SMART goal
planning, you now have the tools to communicate with your team on how to write
a scope of work for a construction project.
Reference
 McRae, K., De Sa, V.R. and Seidenberg, M.S., 1997. On the nature and scope
of featural representations of word meaning. Journal of Experimental
Psychology: General, 126(2), p.99.
 Harvey, David C. "Heritage pasts and heritage presents: Temporality, meaning
and the scope of heritage studies." International journal of heritage studies 7,
no. 4 (2001): 319-338.
 Ng, K.M. and Noonan, B.M., 2012. Internationalization of the counseling
profession: Meaning, scope and concerns. International Journal for the
Advancement of Counselling, 34(1), pp.5-18.