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Scope of the Research – Writing Guide and Examples

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Scope of the Research

Scope of research refers to the range of topics, areas, and subjects that a research project intends to cover. It is the extent and limitations of the study, defining what is included and excluded in the research.

The scope of a research project depends on various factors, such as the research questions , objectives , methodology, and available resources. It is essential to define the scope of the research project clearly to avoid confusion and ensure that the study addresses the intended research questions.

How to Write Scope of the Research

Writing the scope of the research involves identifying the specific boundaries and limitations of the study. Here are some steps you can follow to write a clear and concise scope of the research:

• Identify the research question: Start by identifying the specific question that you want to answer through your research . This will help you focus your research and define the scope more clearly.
• Define the objectives: Once you have identified the research question, define the objectives of your study. What specific goals do you want to achieve through your research?
• Determine the population and sample: Identify the population or group of people that you will be studying, as well as the sample size and selection criteria. This will help you narrow down the scope of your research and ensure that your findings are applicable to the intended audience.
• Identify the variables: Determine the variables that will be measured or analyzed in your research. This could include demographic variables, independent variables , dependent variables , or any other relevant factors.
• Define the timeframe: Determine the timeframe for your study, including the start and end date, as well as any specific time intervals that will be measured.
• Determine the geographical scope: If your research is location-specific, define the geographical scope of your study. This could include specific regions, cities, or neighborhoods that you will be focusing on.
• Outline the limitations: Finally, outline any limitations or constraints of your research, such as time, resources, or access to data. This will help readers understand the scope and applicability of your research findings.

Examples of the Scope of the Research

Some Examples of the Scope of the Research are as follows:

Title : “Investigating the impact of artificial intelligence on job automation in the IT industry”

Scope of Research:

This study aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on job automation in the IT industry. The research will involve a qualitative analysis of job postings, identifying tasks that can be automated using AI. The study will also assess the potential implications of job automation on the workforce, including job displacement, job creation, and changes in job requirements.

Title : “Developing a machine learning model for predicting cyberattacks on corporate networks”

This study will develop a machine learning model for predicting cyberattacks on corporate networks. The research will involve collecting and analyzing network traffic data, identifying patterns and trends that are indicative of cyberattacks. The study aims to build an accurate and reliable predictive model that can help organizations identify and prevent cyberattacks before they occur.

Title: “Assessing the usability of a mobile app for managing personal finances”

This study will assess the usability of a mobile app for managing personal finances. The research will involve conducting a usability test with a group of participants, evaluating the app’s ease of use, efficiency, and user satisfaction. The study aims to identify areas of the app that need improvement, and to provide recommendations for enhancing its usability and user experience.

Title : “Exploring the effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction among college students”

This study aims to investigate the impact of mindfulness meditation on reducing stress levels among college students. The research will involve a randomized controlled trial with two groups: a treatment group that receives mindfulness meditation training and a control group that receives no intervention. The study will examine changes in stress levels, as measured by self-report questionnaires, before and after the intervention.

Title: “Investigating the impact of social media on body image dissatisfaction among young adults”

This study will explore the relationship between social media use and body image dissatisfaction among young adults. The research will involve a cross-sectional survey of participants aged 18-25, assessing their social media use, body image perceptions, and self-esteem. The study aims to identify any correlations between social media use and body image dissatisfaction, and to determine if certain social media platforms or types of content are particularly harmful.

When to Write Scope of the Research

Here is a guide on When to Write the Scope of the Research:

• Before starting your research project, it’s important to clearly define the scope of your study. This will help you stay focused on your research question and avoid getting sidetracked by irrelevant information.
• The scope of the research should be determined by the research question or problem statement. It should outline what you intend to investigate and what you will not be investigating.
• The scope should also take into consideration any limitations of the study, such as time, resources, or access to data. This will help you realistically plan and execute your research.
• Writing the scope of the research early in the research process can also help you refine your research question and identify any gaps in the existing literature that your study can address.
• It’s important to revisit the scope of the research throughout the research process to ensure that you stay on track and make any necessary adjustments.
• The scope of the research should be clearly communicated in the research proposal or study protocol to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the research objectives and limitations.
• The scope of the research should also be reflected in the research design, methods, and analysis plan. This will ensure that the research is conducted in a systematic and rigorous manner that is aligned with the research objectives.
• The scope of the research should be written in a clear and concise manner, using language that is accessible to all stakeholders, including those who may not be familiar with the research topic or methodology.
• When writing the scope of the research, it’s important to be transparent about any assumptions or biases that may influence the research findings. This will help ensure that the research is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner.
• The scope of the research should be reviewed and approved by the research supervisor, committee members, or other relevant stakeholders. This will ensure that the research is feasible, relevant, and contributes to the field of study.
• Finally, the scope of the research should be clearly stated in the research report or dissertation to provide context for the research findings and conclusions. This will help readers understand the significance of the research and its contribution to the field of study.

Purpose of Scope of the Research

Purposes of Scope of the Research are as follows:

• Defines the boundaries and extent of the study.
• Determines the specific objectives and research questions to be addressed.
• Provides direction and focus for the research.
• Helps to identify the relevant theories, concepts, and variables to be studied.
• Enables the researcher to select the appropriate research methodology and techniques.
• Allows for the allocation of resources (time, money, personnel) to the research.
• Establishes the criteria for the selection of the sample and data collection methods.
• Facilitates the interpretation and generalization of the results.
• Ensures the ethical considerations and constraints are addressed.
• Provides a framework for the presentation and dissemination of the research findings.

Advantages of Scope of the Research

Here are some advantages of having a well-defined scope of research:

• Provides clarity and focus: Defining the scope of research helps to provide clarity and focus to the study. This ensures that the research stays on track and does not deviate from its intended purpose.
• Helps to manage resources: Knowing the scope of research allows researchers to allocate resources effectively. This includes managing time, budget, and personnel required to conduct the study.
• Improves the quality of research: A well-defined scope of research helps to ensure that the study is designed to achieve specific objectives. This helps to improve the quality of the research by reducing the likelihood of errors or bias.
• Facilitates communication: A clear scope of research enables researchers to communicate the goals and objectives of the study to stakeholders, such as funding agencies or participants. This facilitates understanding and enhances cooperation.
• Enables replication : A well-defined scope of research makes it easier to replicate the study in the future. This allows other researchers to validate the findings and build upon them, leading to the advancement of knowledge in the field.
• Increases the relevance of research: Defining the scope of research helps to ensure that the study is relevant to the problem or issue being investigated. This increases the likelihood that the findings will be useful and applicable to real-world situations.
• Reduces the risk of scope creep : Scope creep occurs when the research expands beyond the original scope, leading to an increase in the time, cost, and resources required to complete the study. A clear definition of the scope of research helps to reduce the risk of scope creep by establishing boundaries and limitations.
• Enhances the credibility of research: A well-defined scope of research helps to enhance the credibility of the study by ensuring that it is designed to achieve specific objectives and answer specific research questions. This makes it easier for others to assess the validity and reliability of the study.
• Provides a framework for decision-making : A clear scope of research provides a framework for decision-making throughout the research process. This includes decisions related to data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Scope of the Research Vs Scope of the Project

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Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Scope and Delimitations – Explained & Example

• By DiscoverPhDs
• October 2, 2020

What Is Scope and Delimitation in Research?

The scope and delimitations of a thesis, dissertation or research paper define the topic and boundaries of the research problem to be investigated.

The scope details how in-depth your study is to explore the research question and the parameters in which it will operate in relation to the population and timeframe.

The delimitations of a study are the factors and variables not to be included in the investigation. In other words, they are the boundaries the researcher sets in terms of study duration, population size and type of participants, etc.

Difference Between Delimitations and Limitations

Delimitations refer to the boundaries of the research study, based on the researcher’s decision of what to include and what to exclude. They narrow your study to make it more manageable and relevant to what you are trying to prove.

Limitations relate to the validity and reliability of the study. They are characteristics of the research design or methodology that are out of your control but influence your research findings. Because of this, they determine the internal and external validity of your study and are considered potential weaknesses.

In other words, limitations are what the researcher cannot do (elements outside of their control) and delimitations are what the researcher will not do (elements outside of the boundaries they have set). Both are important because they help to put the research findings into context, and although they explain how the study is limited, they increase the credibility and validity of a research project.

Guidelines on How to Write a Scope

A good scope statement will answer the following six questions:

• Why – the general aims and objectives (purpose) of the research.
• What – the subject to be investigated, and the included variables.
• Where – the location or setting of the study, i.e. where the data will be gathered and to which entity the data will belong.
• When – the timeframe within which the data is to be collected.
• Who – the subject matter of the study and the population from which they will be selected. This population needs to be large enough to be able to make generalisations.
• How – how the research is to be conducted, including a description of the research design (e.g. whether it is experimental research, qualitative research or a case study), methodology, research tools and analysis techniques.

To make things as clear as possible, you should also state why specific variables were omitted from the research scope, and whether this was because it was a delimitation or a limitation. You should also explain why they could not be overcome with standard research methods backed up by scientific evidence.

How to Start Writing Your Study Scope

Use the below prompts as an effective way to start writing your scope:

• This study is to focus on…
• This study covers the…
• This study aims to…

Guidelines on How to Write Delimitations

Since the delimitation parameters are within the researcher’s control, readers need to know why they were set, what alternative options were available, and why these alternatives were rejected. For example, if you are collecting data that can be derived from three different but similar experiments, the reader needs to understand how and why you decided to select the one you have.

Your reasons should always be linked back to your research question, as all delimitations should result from trying to make your study more relevant to your scope. Therefore, the scope and delimitations are usually considered together when writing a paper.

How to Start Writing Your Study Delimitations

Use the below prompts as an effective way to start writing your study delimitations:

• This study does not cover…
• This study is limited to…
• The following has been excluded from this study…

Examples of Delimitation in Research

Examples of delimitations include:

• research objectives,
• research questions,
• research variables,
• target populations,
• statistical analysis techniques .

Examples of Limitations in Research

Examples of limitations include:

• Issues with sample and selection,
• Insufficient sample size, population traits or specific participants for statistical significance,
• Lack of previous research studies on the topic which has allowed for further analysis,
• Limitations in the technology/instruments used to collect your data,
• Limited financial resources and/or funding constraints.

Starting your PhD can feel like a daunting, exciting and special time. They’ll be so much to think about – here are a few tips to help you get started.

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Academic conferences are expensive and it can be tough finding the funds to go; this naturally leads to the question of are academic conferences worth it?

This article will answer common questions about the PhD synopsis, give guidance on how to write one, and provide my thoughts on samples.

Dr Pattison gained his PhD in Cosmology from the University of Portsmouth. He is now finishing a short term post-doc within the same research group and developing a career in science communication and science education.

Emma is a third year PhD student at the University of Rhode Island. Her research focuses on the physiological and genomic response to climate change stressors.

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Scope of UBC Theses and Dissertations

Scope of a doctoral dissertation.

A dissertation is expected to represent a significant contribution of new knowledge achieved through systematic investigation. It conveys the scholarly context, methods, results and an analysis of your original scholarship. It is expected to represent an original contribution to new understanding, either through the uncovering or creation of knowledge or understanding, through the integration and synthesis of knowledge across perspectives or fields, and/or through the application of knowledge to address tangible problems. It is intended to demonstrate your ability to:

• Critically analyze the relevant literature and background
• Use and describe in detail the appropriate methodology for the scholarly work undertaken
• Conduct research and present findings that result in a significant and original contribution to knowledge
• Verify knowledge claims and sources meticulously
• Locate the work of the dissertation and its findings within the broader field or discipline
• Communicate the scholarly work and analysis effectively

The dissertation must provide a complete account of your scholarly work. Specific products or modes of sharing your research results may also be included as demonstration of effective knowledge communication and dissemination. It may incorporate collaborative work, with a clear indication of the relative contributions of collaborators (see guidelines). Scholarly products and/or dissemination materials could include journal articles, audio/visual products, creative outputs, policy briefs, web tools, or lay or professional reports. The main body may be presented in a variety of styles. For substantive scholarly products or modes of expression, as appropriate, you should provide contextualization, a description of the methodologies used, and an analysis of the work within the overall scholarly arc of the dissertation. Refer to Structure of a Doctoral Dissertation for further information.

Scope of a Master's Thesis

Master’s theses at UBC will vary considerably in scope depending on the credit value assigned to the thesis. A master's thesis is intended to demonstrate that you know the background and principal works of your research area, and can produce significant scholarly work. It should contain some original contribution whenever possible.

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How to Write a Scope of Work for a Research Project

March 23 2018, By CharlesBruno Eze

Research writing is a very serious business; one that requires being approached with precision. What research really is is building upon collective body of knowledge. This requires a high level of seriousness and uniformity so that things don't fall into chaos. To be good with research work, one has to learn the accepted methods and processes of documentations. One of such is how to write the scope of your research work which will also be part of your research project work. So this article has been specifically designed to show you how to write a stunning scope of study for  your research project work in just a few minutes.

The scope of study section of your research project work contains the areas to be covered by your work. It delineates the level of the object of study that would be covered by the particular research work so that both the reader and writer have a perspective of what is aimed at and what is to be expected. It is through the content of your scope of study that one can determine whether the aims of the project have been achieved. And owing to the fact that academics is quite boundless, it is very easy for a researcher to delve into the body of knowledge that make up a discipline or even bridge disciplines and get lost in the maze of it all.

You see why the scope of study is very important and should be approached with the clearest terms. The language should be clear and explicit so as to leave out any ambiguousness that would confuse a reader or even derail the researcher's focus.

For the most part, you have to approach your "Scope of Study" section tactfully. When your research problems implicates the whole discipline say "A Study of African Literature in the 21st Century", you will find that the research means studying all of the literary works in all of Africa across all the genres of literature - which is not possible for lack of time and space. Your scope of study comes in here to tailor down the specific areas to focus on so that it shows us the boundaries of your work. In such a case you could pick a work from selected African countries and base your study on them.

In writing your scope of study you need to first reiterate the research problem and it's objectives in clearly formulated sentences. You should state the time frame covered by the research in the case of a historical or philosophical research work. You need to state the extent of your primary and secondary text which is usually relevant in any of the art criticism. You should state also the length of coverage of your data compilation and method of analysis. If the use of questionnaire is made in the research work you should acquaint the readers with the demographics of the participants and how many they are.

In the last paragraph of your "scope of study" section talk about the structure of the project work. This is best suited for a work without a preface. Discuss the chapter division of your project work and what informs this format of chapter division.

You see, it wasn't so hard after all.

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How to Write a Scope of Work (Examples & Templates Included)

What Is a Scope of Work?

A scope of work document is an agreement on the work you’re going to perform on the project. The scope of work in project management  includes deliverables, a timeline, milestones and reports. Let’s look closer at each of these elements below.

What Should Be Included in a Scope of Work Document?

Here’s an overview of the main components of a scope of work. You can add or remove some of these elements to better adjust to your project stakeholders’ requirements.

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Scope Of Work Template

Use this free Scope Of Work Template for Word to manage your projects better.

Project Deliverables

This is what your project delivers. Whether it’s a product or a service, it’s the reason you’re executing the project for your customer, stakeholder or sponsor. Whatever that deliverable is, and it can be some sort of document or report, software, product, build (or all of the above), you need to clearly identify each item here. Creating a work breakdown structure can help with this step. Also, make sure there’s an acceptance criterion for the project deliverables, such as quality standards or functional requirements.

Project Timeline

Think of a timeline as a road leading from the start of a project to its end. It’s a section of the document that delineates the major phases across the schedule of the project’s duration. It should also mark the points in the project when your deliverables are ready. As you can guess, it’s essential to scope out the overall plan of any project. This is best presented visually, like a rolled-up Gantt chart plan, so the stakeholders can see the high-level timeline.

Project Milestones

Projects can be long and complex, which is why they’re laid out over a timeline and broken down into more manageable parts called tasks. Larger phases of the project are marked by what’s called a milestone . It’s a way to help you monitor the progress of the project to ensure it’s adhering to your planned schedule. Define your key milestones on a timeline in the scope of work document, including project kickoffs, meetings, hand-offs, etc.

Project Reports

You’ll be generating reports throughout the project, delivered to either your team or customer, stakeholder or sponsor. These can include status reports , progress reports, variance reports and more. They’re a formal record of the progress of your project, but they’re also a means of communication beyond whether the project’s on schedule or not.

Depending on how you customize reports , there’s a wealth of data that can serve a number of different audiences. Define how you’ll be reporting on the project and when the stakeholders can be expecting them and from whom.

How to Write a Scope of Work

Now that we’ve listed the elements of a scope of work document, let’s go through the step-by-step process of writing one. These steps can help you create a scope of work for different industries such as construction or manufacturing.

• Define the project goals: Before writing a scope of work, you should define what project goals will be accomplished through the execution of the project tasks that’ll be included in your scope of work.
• Use a work breakdown structure to identify project tasks: The first step when writing a scope of work is to identify all your project tasks. This is done by using a work breakdown structure (WBS), a project management tool that lets you break down projects and work packages into individual tasks, so you can better plan and schedule them.
• Determine your project deliverables: A project deliverable is a tangible or intangible output from tasks. They’re an important part of a scope of work as they’re the outcomes of the project.
• Establish acceptance criteria for your project deliverables: Project deliverables must meet the acceptance criteria established by the project client, such as quality standards or functionality requirements.
• Use the CPM method to create a project timeline: The critical path method is a project scheduling technique that allows project managers to create a project timeline and estimate project duration by identifying the longest sequence of tasks. It’s important that you use this or other project scheduling techniques to create a realistic schedule for your scope of work.
• Establish payment terms for the project: You may include payment terms as a section of your scope of work.
• Establish project reporting procedures: Communication between the project team and project stakeholders is very important, so your scope of work document should include a section that explains how reporting will take place.

Scope of Work Template

Now that you know how to write a scope of work, as well as what’s included in this all important document, download our free scope of work template for Word . It has everything you need to make a scope of work document for your own project, so your stakeholders know exactly what to expect in terms of schedule, deliverables and effort.

Scope of Work Example

To understand the purpose and importance of a scope of work in project management, let’s start with a simple scope of work example, planning a wedding. A wedding is a project, and depending on the bridezilla (or groomzilla), it could be bigger and more complicated than building a highway or an airport.

Let’s take one aspect of that larger project, the wedding invitations, and break this down into a scope of work. We’ll outline the deliverables, timeline, milestones and reports in this scope of work example.

Deliverables

• Invite list
• Addresses of attendees
• Addressed envelopes
• Jan. 1: Decide on the invite list
• Feb. 1: Have addresses collected of attendees
• March 1: Pick invitation style and have printed
• April 1: Address and mail invites
• May 1: Get the final count of guests
• June 1: Wedding
• Selection of guests and collection of addresses
• Mailing of invitations
• The final count of attendees
• Check on the status of address collection
• Stay in touch with the printer for progress on invitations
• Check RSVPs against the invitation list

With ProjectManager , you can build a project timeline in seconds with our online Gantt chart maker. Map your scope of work, create a budget, assign tasks, add dependencies and more. Then present to your team and stakeholders to get the project moving on the right foot. Try it free today.

Construction Scope of Work Example

Now, let’s create a scope of work for a small construction project , building a house. This project involves many steps, but for practical purposes, this construction scope of work example will only focus on some of the main deliverables, timelines, milestones and reports.

Project deliverables: These project deliverables are individual, tangible outputs from different construction activities.

• Land clearing
• Ground leveling
• Sewer Lines
• Wood Framing
• Sheathing Installation
• HVAC system installation
• Electrical panels and wiring installation
• Roof installation
• Insulation installation
• Drywall installation
• Interior painting, appliances, cabinets and other final details

Project Timeline: The scope of work timeline depends on the complexity of the construction design and the agreement that the project owner reaches with the general contractor, who will hire subcontractors to accomplish different types of construction work.

Project Milestones: The scope of work milestones marks important achievements during the project as tasks are executed . Instead of referring to individual project deliverables, they describe project phases that have been completed successfully. As a project manager, you might choose the milestones that are significant for your project.

• The building envelope has been completed
• Foundation, framing, plumbing and electrical inspections have been passed
• Exterior work has been completed
• Interior work has been completed
• Project has been delivered successfully

Project Reports: The reports that you use to track the scope of work might vary, but these are essential construction project reports.

• Project status reports
• Daily construction logs
• Construction punch list

Why Is It Important to Write a Scope of Work?

Here are some of the reasons why writing a scope of work is beneficial for projects.

Defines the Project Scope

The main purpose of a scope of work is to define the scope of a project . This means defining the work that’ll be done as well as project exclusions, activities or deliverables which aren’t part of a project.

Prevents Scope Creep

Scope creep is a risk that can affect any project. It occurs when additional project tasks are added to the initial project scope during the execution of a project. These unplanned additions of work cause extra costs and derail the project schedule. Scope creep can be avoided by having a clear scope of work that establishes what will and what won’t be executed. However, changes might be made to the project scope by using a change request, another important project management document.

Sets Clear Expectations for Project Stakeholders

Without a scope of work document, project stakeholders might have unrealistic expectations about a project , such as assuming certain tasks and deliverables will be done. Therefore, it’s important for project managers and project teams to make sure there’s a scope of work that lets stakeholders know what to expect.

Scope of Work Tips

But before you get to writing, you need to make sure you follow these tips.

• Be specific : explain the terms used clearly
• Use visuals : a picture is worth a thousand words
• Get sign-offs : make sure everyone who needs to okay the work, does

It’s not that difficult, but it needs to be thorough because you don’t want to have to play catch-up with paperwork when you’re in the heat of the project.

Pro tip: The SOW is essential to the project plan and is often included as part of the overall project plan, but it can be time-consuming to write. We’ve created dozens of project management templates to help you create all your project documents. 

How to Manage Your Scope of Work With Project Management Software

It can feel overwhelming with so many tasks to keep track of, but project management software can simplify the process. In ProjectManager , you can import your spreadsheet or use one of our industry-specific templates to get you started.

A list of tasks is only a start. To bring order to that chaos, you’ll want to estimate duration by adding start and finish dates. We then automatically put your tasks on a timeline in our Gantt chart project view , so you can see the whole project in one place. Further reign in the tasks by prioritizing them, linking dependencies to prevent bottlenecks later in the project and setting milestones to break up the larger project into more manageable phases.

Collaborate at the Task Level

Tasks need people to execute them and move your project forward. You have your schedule, so onboard your team and start assigning them tasks. You can do this from any of our multiple project views. We offer collaborative tools that make teams more productive and help them work together. You can direct them with task descriptions and by attaching files to the task. Then, they can work together, commenting at the task level with other team members, who are notified by email. This is great for remote teams and even those working in the same room.

Track Progress to Stay On Time and Under Budget

Speaking of distributed teams, how can you keep track of their progress if you can’t check in on them? We solve that problem with great monitoring features, such as a real-time dashboard that shows you task progress, costs and other high-level views of the project. Our software takes status updates and automatically displays them in easy-to-read charts and graphs. You can even share them at stakeholder meetings to keep them in the loop.

For more in-depth data, we feature one-click reports that can be filtered to show just the data you’re looking for. Reports track project variance, workload and more. You’ll catch issues and resolve them quickly before they become problems that threaten to derail your project.

If you want that scope of work to be the beginning of a beautiful project, then try ProjectManager for free with our 30-day trial offer.

Video: Scope of Work Best Practices

In this video, Jennifer Bridges, PMP, shows you how to write a scope of work for project management . Follow her steps to get started or use our project plan and scope document template!

Here’s a shot of the whiteboard for your reference!

If you need a tool that can help you manage and track your scope of work document, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager .

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• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Anchoring bias
• Halo effect
• The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
• The placebo effect
• Nonresponse bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/

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What’s an SoW in business?

How to write a scope of work, 5 tips for a stellar sow, scope of work examples, start your project off right.

Embarking on a project without a plan is like leaving for an unfamiliar place without a map. It’s not enough to start — you need to know precisely where you’re going and how you’ll get there. That's where a scope of work (SoW) comes into play: it provides the necessary directions, pinpointing every twist, turn, and pit stop.

The SoW’s purpose is to eliminate confusion, sharpen focus, and boost efficiency. Research from the Harvard Business Review shows large IT projects run, on average, 45% over budget , a common symptom of a lack of clear directives and a poorly defined project scope. Fortunately, a well-defined SoW reduces overspending risks — and much more. In this crucial document, every task has a rightful place and every team member knows their role and responsibilities .

The SoW is the backbone of any project It’s a strategic blueprint that lays the groundwork for success. This document isn't just about outlining project goals and requirements: it dives deep into the specifics, covering tasks, deliverables, timelines, team members, and all-important milestones. 

Thanks to this level of detail, your SoW ensures every member of the project team is on the same page, setting realistic goals that are pivotal for the successful initiation and execution of a project.

But don't just think of the SoW as another run-of-the-mill document — it's a power tool in the arsenal of project management . A meticulously crafted SoW enhances your team’s performance and keeps stakeholders happy by offering crystal-clear expectations. When every task has a home and every team member knows what part they play, the entire initiative is aimed for success.

How’s scope different from a statement of work?

The terms “statement of work” and “scope of work” share the same acronym (SoW), meaning the two are frequently confused.  

While scope pertains to the internal goals and expectations of a project, the statement of work takes things up a notch. It's a more comprehensive document that encompasses scope but also delves into project deliverables, requirements, schedules, costs, and stakeholder agreements. Think of it as a more refined and detailed map that keeps the project on track and minimizes the risk that objectives spiral out of control.

Scope creep, the sneaky phenomenon where project requirements balloon unexpectedly, highlights the importance of learning how to write a statement of work and set boundaries . In fact, the Project Management Institute reported that 52% of projects completed in 2018 experienced scope creep or uncontrolled changes that diverted them from their intended end goals. That’s a lot of wasted resources.

Writing a scope of work requires time and focus, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Projects of all sizes — whether they involve teams of four people or fifty — are susceptible to miscommunications and wasted time.

Without structure, boundaries, and regular check-ins, your staff could wind up investing hours of hard work into something that won’t see the light of day. And that’s the best-case scenario. Worst case, their misdirected efforts set the project behind and result in disgruntled clients, displeased higher-ups, or both. 

Here are some things you want to include in your SoW to avoid scope creep:

Everyone appreciates a clear map, especially when navigating a document packed with jargon or industry-specific terms . Including a glossary in the SoW ensures that everyone clearly understands each word, which is vital for effective communication . It’s your project's dictionary and a quick reference that wards off misinterpretations.

Problem statement

At the heart of every project lies a challenge or an opportunity — that's where the problem statement fits in. Writing a problem statement articulates what the project aims to solve, provides direction, and clarifies the purpose of the work to team members and stakeholders. 

Project milestones and goals

Milestones are checkpoints in your project's journey, while goals define the end destination. Setting both gives your project team well-defined markers of progress. Whether it's "Initial prototype developed" or "First 1,000 units sold," highlighting important achievements makes the journey measurable and more engaging.

Project deliverables

These are the tangible results your project promises. Clearly outlining what you’ll produce prevents miscommunication among team members and stakeholders. And when every person on the project knows exactly what they’ll deliver — no more and no less — it discourages scope creep. 

Administration

Defining the workflow in the SoW is critical to establishing a healthier workplace environment with streamlined processes and clear lines of responsibility. Outline who manages what, points of contact for different concerns, and the decision-making hierarchy. It's a playbook of sorts, establishing a strategy for efficient project completion.

Project timelines

A time management plan with clear start and end dates for each project phase keeps everyone on track. This way, you can adjust for bottlenecks or unexpected delays as the project progresses. Timelines provide clarity and prevent tasks from floating indefinitely, helping everyone understand the pace at which to move through their deliverables.

Project reports

Regular meetings are an integral part of upholding the scope of work. You don’t want anyone working in the dark because that’s a recipe for confusion and mismatched expectations . Decide on the frequency and type of status reports your team will implement. Using project management software, tools like Gantt charts, or simple presentations to share consistent updates keeps stakeholders informed.

Weekly check-ins and monthly reviews are great starting points. Just remember to specify the format — presentation, written document, meeting — and outline what these updates should cover. By setting this in stone, you keep everyone aligned.

Pieced together, a scope of work doesn’t just set expectations — it drives success. So, next time you’re at the project’s drawing board, make the SoW your first pit stop. Here’s how:

1. Set the project goals and milestones

Establish clear project objectives and major milestones — these are the foundation of your deliverables. This means defining SMART goals and significant milestones your team needs to meet along the way. Imagine you're building an e-commerce platform. The goal might be "Create a functional product page" or “Launch a mobile app.” Milestones are more specific checkpoints like “Land on a cohesive page design" or "Add Paypal to the checkout function." Achieving these markers means your project's on the right path.

2. Break them down and identify tasks

Turn your work goals into actionable initiatives by segmenting milestones into individual tasks, bite-sized pieces to cross out as you progress. For that website development project, these could be designing the layout, writing the code for the product page, and conducting user experience tests. No matter how small, each task brings your vision closer to reality.

3. Plan deliverables to comply with the goals

With your project goals in sight, map out tangible and intangible outcomes. If you’re designing a website, your deliverables might include a functional website, a user manual, and a training session for staff. Remember, deliverables showcase the value you're providing, so dedicate time to clearly highlighting what your team has to offer.

4. Establish acceptance criteria and boundaries

Make sure everyone's clear on the finish line. What must the final product have (or not have)? You need to eliminate any gray areas early on. For a software project, this could mean guaranteeing it runs on specific devices or platforms.

5. Create a project timeline

Project planning isn’t complete without establishing an action plan for your project timeline. A timeline helps every task align with the broader project objectives. Break down your tasks and pair them with start and end dates. If you’re planning an event, this might look like “Book venue  March 1” and “Send out invites April 1–7.” 

6. Establish project reporting processes

Constant communication is key to keeping projects on track. Whether daily stand-ups, weekly updates, or monthly reviews, set up systematic check-ins. Specify who reports to whom and how — be it through emails, presentations, or meetings.

7. Agree on payment terms

Clear payment terms, from payment schedules to disbursement conditions, safeguard against future conflicts. Decide if you’re going for a lump sum, installments, or payment upon delivery. Money talks, so make sure everyone hears the same message.

8. Check-in progress regularly

Consistent monitoring ensures the project stays on course, allowing for adjustments as necessary. If you're lagging, you know it's time to hustle. If you're ahead, maybe there's still room to work smarter . A well-crafted scope of work isn't just a document: it's a commitment. Make sure everyone is holding up their end and doing their best work.

A project without a clear work plan is like a ship without a compass — you might move, but you won’t necessarily reach your destination. Here are some tips to keep your SoW effective and functional:

• Be specific: Every detail counts, so go beyond broad strokes. Instead of generalities like "Design a website," specify functionality and features like "Develop a 10-page website with an integrated e-commerce platform." This clarity eliminates guesswork.
• Use visuals: Visual aids, from flowcharts to graphs, illustrate complex ideas and help stakeholders grasp the project's essence. For instance, a line graph could showcase projected sales growth if you're planning a sales strategy.
• Use short and clear sentences: Time management and simplicity are key. Instead of complex jargon, employ straightforward language so you know everyone's on the same page. Rather than saying, "The team, in its endeavor to maximize efficiency, will aim to...", go for "The team will maximize efficiency by..."
• Get stakeholder buy-in: Involve all parties, from team members to investors, to approve the SoW before finalizing. Their collective insights will bolster the SoW's efficacy and promote a smooth project execution.
• Review regularly: As the project progresses, adapt the SoW, reflecting any changes or adjustments necessary. Periodic reviews safeguard against scope creep and maintain team alignment with the project's evolving goals.

A great project is backed by a well-defined plan. To illustrate how this clarity makes all the difference, here are some scope statement examples:

• Web design project: Create a five-page website featuring a homepage and about us, services, blog, and contact sections. It should also have mock-ups, provide mobile responsiveness, undergo rigorous testing, and launch on October 3.
• Construction project: Prepare the two-acre site by July 15. Use grade-A concrete and steel to lay the foundation by August 1. Set the completion date for December 20.
• Marketing campaign: Achieve 15% customer growth and target the 18-25 age group. Post to Facebook and Instagram every day, create 10 videos monthly, and report growth every 15 days.
• Graphic design for a brand: Design a primary logo, secondary logo, color palette, typography guide, and five promotional banners. Also, deliver file formats for both print and digital to establish brand consistency across platforms.

When crafting a scope of work, remember that clarity breeds confidence. Your team should read it and know exactly what lies ahead — no guesswork, no assumptions.

Even the best ideas can fall victim to scope creep. While putting together this complex document is no easy feat, it’s not a step you should skip. Your project’s success depends on it. Otherwise, you risk spending precious time and money on outcomes that don’t benefit the project or the company. And no one likes to learn that their efforts were wasted on unimportant busywork.

Remember: with a comprehensive SoW, every challenge is an opportunity, and every milestone is a celebration. Don’t hold back. Forge ahead and bring your projects to new heights.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Project Management

How to write a scope of work (with sow examples & templates).

Haillie Parker

January 24, 2024

The scope of work document is a simple yet necessary piece of the project management process. 

As a project manager, it’s imperative that everyone involved in an upcoming initiative feels informed, heard, and included every step of the way. A scope of work (SOW) document is key to achieving this before the planning stage even ends. 

Think of the scope of work as a tool—something you, the project team, and all key players will revisit multiple times throughout the project management process, and something that evolves as your timeline progresses. 

Before opening a fresh document to embark on your scope of work writing process, consult this detailed guide to inform your framework. 

Find detailed breakdowns, examples, and best practices for writing a valuable scope of work document. Plus, access a free scope of work template to standardize your process and contribute to alongside the team!

What is a Scope of Work?

Best practices when writing a scope of work, how to write a scope of work, scope of work document templates, key deliverables , the project timeline, major milestones, progress reports, scope of work examples, scope of work samples for other use cases, set your scope of work in motion.

The scope of work clearly defines the project controls , services, and deliverables you’ll provide in an upcoming project. It acts as a written agreement and is one of the most important and detailed documents in the early stages of any project.

With the right resources at hand, creating a scope of work document can be a fairly simple process! But it’s important to keep in mind its essential must-have elements to keep your team on the same page when it comes to:

• Project deliverables
• All necessary resources including budget, time, and workload
• Project timeline and phases
• Legal requirements

Specifying these factors early on will help you manage projects more successfully and avoid setbacks in your project schedule, running out of resources, or scope creep later in the project management process. Plus, a thorough scope of work ensures the project team knows exactly what’s expected of them, including the purpose of the project, overall spending, project milestones, and deadlines. 

Here’s your new scope of work mantra: When in doubt, be specific, visual, and fully transparent.

• Specific : What do the key terms mean? Who does what tasks and when? Being clear on project specifics is a surefire way to avoid confusion, miscommunication, and misalignment. All of which can be detrimental to a project’s execution
• Visual : What is the deliverable actually going to look like? Visuals help key players avoid misreading or misinterpreting project expectations from the start
• Transparent : Make sure the major stakeholders approve of what’s planned, acknowledge key milestones as they happen, and in general, stay in the loop

These three strategies will ensure you’re sending off the right information for any project, every time. But if you want to take them a step further, start investing your time more productively in the planning process by using a scope of work template to handle the heavy lifting when it comes to writing your scope of work. 

Now that we’ve discussed best practices of a scope of work, let’s dive into how to write one. Here is a step-by-step list of how to write a scope of work:

• Define the project:  Start by defining the project and its objectives. This should include what you are trying to achieve, why you are undertaking the project, and what benefits it will bring.
• List deliverables:  Make a list of all deliverables that will be required for the project. This should include any documents, reports, software, or other items that will be needed.
• Determine tasks and timelines:  Break down the project into smaller tasks and determine the timeline for each one. This should include start and end dates for each task and the overall project timeline.
• Identify resources:  Identify the resources that will be required for the project, including personnel, equipment, and budget.
• Define quality standards:  Outline the quality standards that will need to be met for the project. This should include any requirements for testing, quality control, and quality assurance.
• Determine communication procedures:  Define the procedures that will be used for communication during the project. This should outline how often communication will take place, who will be involved, and what methods will be used.
• Identify risks:  Identify any potential risks that could impact the project. This should include risks related to timelines, resources, quality, and other factors.
• Define acceptance criteria:  Define the acceptance criteria that will be used to evaluate the success of the project. This should include specific metrics or measures that will be used to determine if the project has been completed successfully.
• Review and finalize:  Review the scope of work with all stakeholders to ensure that it accurately reflects the  project requirements . Once finalized, distribute the scope of work to all stakeholders and use it as a reference throughout the project.

Looking to standardize your planning practices? Start with a project management template to expedite the scope of work process. As a rule of thumb, your scope of work template should have at least these five sections built out to plug and play your project information:

• A glossary for relevant terms
• The problem statement your project is solving
• SMART goals , project objectives, deliverables, KPIs, and the like 
• Necessary administrative needs and approvals
• A customizable project schedule or timeline

But TBH, these five sections are the bare minimum. 

With the right document editor and template, you’ll also be able to collaborate on your scope of work alongside the team, customize the sharing and permission settings, connect the document to your workflows, and more. 👀

All of this is possible with the beginner-friendly Scope of Work Template by ClickUp —at absolutely no cost. 

This detailed ClickUp Doc template comes organized in clearly formatted sections including:

• Background and project goals
• Deliverables
• Agency and client responsibilities
• Timeline and milestones
• Administration

Plus, thorough resource management planning and project objectives . 🏆 

The sticky table of contents makes it easy to navigate the many sections of this document while the pre-built tables keep information concise and easy to grasp. 

The greatest advantage of this template though is that it’s created using ClickUp Docs. Collaborative live detection and automatically-saved version history ensure that everyone with access is viewing the most recent version of the scope of work at all times. And since text can be converted directly into ClickUp tasks, team members can act on the project plan from the scope of work itself. 

What’s more, ClickUp tasks can be embedded into Docs along with datasets from other software, so the necessary project information is never far from reach. 

What to Include in a Scope of Work Document?

Let’s take a closer look at the essential elements of an effective scope of work document and best practices to adopt ahead of your next project.

Are you providing a product or a service? Let the project team know! Even if it seems obvious to you, keeping a record of all project deliverables is helpful to keep on hand and refer back to later on. Plus, this document isn’t just for the project team—key players like stakeholders , other department heads, and higher-ups may be accessing this document as well, making the process of grasping the project scope critical. 

Embedding images, diagrams , or media for context and additional visuals are a great way to convey details about your deliverables. Especially if your team creates wireframes using digital whiteboard software or uses specific reporting documents to break down your work structure, make that information as accessible as possible. 

The option to embed information from other tools is a major benefit of using a dynamic document editor to manage your scope of work records, stakeholder approvals, SOPs , and more. 

In ClickUp Docs , you have the power to embed virtually anything—including tasks, tables, media, assets from other tools, and more. With Slash Commands for quick keyboard shortcuts, collaborative live editing , rich formatting, and easy sharing via URL, ClickUp Docs are ideal for creating a thorough scope of work document with ease. 

Your project management timeline is the start-to-finish journey of a project’s development. This section will outline the phases your project will pass through and detail the deliverables expected along the way.

You have to map out your timeline in order to define a project’s scope, but you can build your timeline in a variety of ways. Gantt charts , tables, and flowcharts like mind maps are highly visual project management solutions for creating your timeline and ensuring all major details are included. These resources are also excellent for identifying task relationships and dependencies which will make the project execution phase more efficient overall! 

Gantt view in ClickUp makes it easy to achieve this level of time management with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface to draw relationships between tasks, visualize bottlenecks, and prioritize action items. Even calculate your critical path or track your progress percentages for a birdseye of what’s happening and what’s to come. 

For complex projects especially, the timeline alone can be daunting. In these situations, it can be helpful to break up and define a larger timeline by its key deadlines when the project moves from one stage to the next. These major moments are known as project milestones . 

Reaching a project milestone is a great opportunity to regroup, get back on the same page, and reassess where your project is headed. It’s the perfect time to touch back with important stakeholders and ensure the project is developing as expected or discuss any issues faced along the way. 

Milestone templates help eliminate some of the guesswork involved in identifying the most significant milestones in a project while guaranteeing your team is making the best use of them. In ClickUp, Milestones are visually represented with a diamond-shaped icon on your timeline or Gantt chart. This helps you quickly identify your major achievements and can be created from any ClickUp task . 

Reporting is not a one-and-done task on your list. Reliable insights and updated reports are key elements of any good scope of work document, as many managers and stakeholders will refer back to it multiple times throughout the project management process—not just the planning phase. 

This is another area where it’s best to lean into more visual assets. No one wants to lose time deciphering lengthy datasets or clicking into additional research. Summarize the most important and data-driven points in a way that’s easy to digest. 

Dashboards in ClickUp excel on this front. Choose from over 50 widgets to pull up-to-date data on recent project activities using customized charts, progress tracking, calculations, tables, and even other apps to build presentation-ready Dashboards for your projects.

To give you a more tangible understanding of how to write an effective Scope of Work, let’s delve into some real-life examples. These examples will illustrate how various organizations have successfully implemented their scope of work, providing you with practical insights and inspiration for your own projects.

1. Software Development Team Scope of Work

Project: Development of a Mobile App

• Objective: To design and develop a user-friendly mobile application for food delivery with unique features like live tracking and multiple payment options.
• Scope: The app should be compatible with both iOS and Android platforms. The project includes UI/UX design, backend development, testing, bug fixing, and deployment to the respective app stores.
• Timeline: The project will be completed in six months, with milestones set for each development phase.
• Deliverables: A fully functional mobile app, test report, user manual, and source code.
• Dependencies: Timely approval from stakeholders at each phase of development, availability of resources, and accessibility to third-party APIs for payment gateways.

2. Marketing Team Scope of Work

Project: Launch of a New Product

• Objective: To design and execute a comprehensive marketing campaign for the launch of a new line of organic skincare products.
• Scope: The project includes market research, competitor analysis , creation of marketing materials, social media promotion, PR, and tracking the success of the campaign.
• Timeline: The project will be carried out over four months, with specific deadlines for each task.
• Deliverables: A detailed marketing strategy , content for promotion (blogs, social media posts, press releases, etc.), and a final report outlining the campaign’s impact.
• Dependencies: Timely feedback and approval from the product team and stakeholders , collaboration with influencers, and market response.

3. HR Team Scope of Work

Project: Employee Onboarding Program

• Objective: To develop a comprehensive onboarding program that will help new hires become proficient in their roles quickly and feel welcomed into the organization.
• Scope: The project includes creating an onboarding checklist, developing training materials, organizing orientation sessions, and collecting feedback.
• Timeline: The project will take two months to complete with evaluation and revision periods included.
• Deliverables: An onboarding manual, training materials, and a feedback report.
• Dependencies: Timely input and cooperation from different departments, availability of new hires, and feedback from the new employees .

To make this process even simpler and more efficient, we’ve also created a set of ready-to-use templates for different use cases. Let’s dive into these templates and see how they can assist you in defining the scope of your projects.

Contractors: Having a scope of work is essential for contractors to define the expected deliverables and timeline. This document allows them to understand what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how it should be completed.

• Pipe fitters
• Contractors
• Scaffolding Workers

Marketing: Marketing teams need to have a scope of work in order to ensure that their projects are completed on time and with the expected quality. This document outlines the necessary steps for completing a project from start to finish, making it easier for team members to stay on track.

• Digital Marketing
• Influencers
• Copywriting

So you’ve written your scope of work document, what now?

Easy—you connect it to your workflow in your project management software to start executing the plans you’ve now mapped out. 

With over 15 unique views including Gantt, List, Kanban, Timeline, Calendar, and more, ClickUp makes it possible to visualize your work from every angle. Plus, its dynamic document editor ClickUp Whiteboard , and built-in Docs feature empower teams to act on their ideas the moment they happen.

No matter the size of your team, project style, or budget, ClickUp is the only productivity platform powerful enough to create wall-to-wall solutions for project managers across industries. Access every feature listed in this guide, a vast Template Library , and over 1,000 integrations when you start using ClickUp today .

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How to write a Scope of Work

13 min read, table of contents, what is a project outline, what is a scope of work ‍.

A scope of work is a key project management document that describes what falls under the framework of a project, and what doesn't. Scope of work documents ensure that all parties agree on what tasks will be carried out and delivered in a project's lifecycle. They align criteria, expectations, and terms clearly and concisely.

Why is a scope of work important?

Scope of work documents are indispensable project management tools for a wide range of reasons. The following are some of the most potent examples.

Having a written record of important information

Even the most straightforward project can get complicated once it's been worked on for a month of two. Scope of work documents are beneficial because they provide written records of all your project's most important information.

Instead of getting bogged down with miscommunications and misunderstandings, you'll be able to use your scope of work as a resource whenever you need to make what you agreed upon at the outset crystal clear.

Keeping project team members on track

When you know exactly what tasks and deliverables make up your project, it's a lot easier to get things done and delegate work to project teams. Scope of work documents help achieve this because they force project teams to get all their project's most important details on paper early on. You'll know exactly what needs to happen to ultimately complete the project and work backwards from there.

Scope creep avoidance

Ah, the dreaded scope creep. The term alone strikes fear into the hearts of project managers and project teams alike. If you're lucky enough to be unfamiliar with scope creep, it's what happens when work on a project slowly and steadily increases beyond what was initially agreed upon. It results in going over budget, insufficient compensation, conflict, frustration, delays, and other nasty things.

Scope of work documents help avoid this because they put exactly what's contained within the framework of a project into writing. If you sense the onset of scope creep, you can face it head on by referring back to your SoW document.

Increased communication

At the end of the day, scope of work documents start conversations. We're not only referring to internal dialogue, but also communication between project managers and clients and/or stakeholders.

The best scope of work documents are written collaboratively, so most project managers meet with their clients to discuss project goals, expectations, and requirements before writing anything down. Meetings like this start relationships off on the right foot, foster transparency, and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Staying within your budget

When a project goes way over budget, no one's happy. So, it'll be music to your ears that scopes of work are great tools to ensure that your project stays within its budget.

Writing a scope of work involves identifying all the tasks, events, milestones, and deliverables that make up a project. Once you've identified those in detail, it will be a lot easier to develop an accurate budget that covers all your project's bases.

What should a scope of work include?

Your scope of work document's contents will depend on the specific needs of yourself, your client, and your project. However, the following sections are usually included.

If you want more specific guidance, we've got a free scope of work template for you to use.

Key project information .

Be sure to include all your project's basic details that will help the reader identify it at a glance. This normally consists of project name, document author(s), document version, client name, and current date.

Project overview

Provide a brief description of your project. Include information related to project background, project goals, your problem statement, and the people who'll be working on it, but keep it concise.

Description of goods & services

Now we're getting to the meat of the project. Describe the goods and/or services that will be performed or delivered within the framework of your project. This is often done in list format.

List of tasks

It's time to break your project down into smaller chunks. Identify all the tasks and subtasks that will need to be carried out in order to ultimately complete it. It's handy to present this as a table and include details on projected dates and contact people.

Project deliverables

Specify exactly what your client will be receiving by the end of your project. This defines what success looks like for your finished project and establishes clear expectations for your client. It's particularly important to be specific and clear here.

Period of performance

Specify the overall time frame of your project. Determine when it will begin, when it will end, and what achievements and milestones will be accomplished along the way.

An out-of-scope list

This section isn't always included but it can really help take your SoW to the next level. If there's anything you want to make absolutely clear is not accounted for within the bounds of your project, it's a great idea to list it here.

Protocol for changes

Scope of work documents are written at the very beginning of a project's lifecycle. Owing to this, you'll often have to make a couple changes to them before your project concludes. In order to account for this eventuality, it's advisable to agree upon a protocol for doing so. That way both you and your client will understand exactly what needs to happen to make any changes to the SoW.

Payment terms

At the end of the day, everyone needs to get paid. Avoid problems down the road by nailing down payment terms, schedules, conditions, and details in your SoW document.

The difference between a scope of work and a statement of work

Statements of work and scopes of work are very closely related documents, so they're often confused. Additionally, they're both confusingly abbreviated as SoW. Not to worry, we'll clear up the difference for you and you'll never forget it!

A scope of work document is usually a section or a page within a statement of work . A statement of work is a much longer and more detailed project management document that outlines all the most important elements of a project. It's a formal document that's essential to the project planning process and sometimes even acts as aacts a work agreement or initial contract between service provider and client.

A scope of work is a shorter, more concise document that focuses on exactly what elements make up a given project. It plays an important supporting role to the statement of work and is often one of the most difficult sections to finalize.

Who should provide the scope of work?

A project's scope of work should be developed by the project manager and the client. One of them is usually providing a product or service, whereas the other is contracting a product or service.

As mentioned, writing a great scope of work is a collaborative task and often involves consultation with other parties like project teams, contractors, and other stakeholders. Nevertheless, the project manager and the client will have the final sign off on the finalized document.

Work on a project doesn't begin until both parties agree on the contents of the scope of work document. As such, this is a key document and key moment in the beginning of any project's lifecycle.

How to write a scope of work

Step 1: meet with your client.

First things first, meet with your potential client and discuss your potential project. This meeting is essential and will lay the groundwork for a successful scope of work document. Be sure to take note on their thoughts on project deliverables, timeline, budget, and scope. Also consider whether you discover any red flags or things you don't see eye-to-eye on.

Step 2: Meet with your project team

Now that you've met with your client, you probably have an initial idea of how your project scope will look. Before getting started on your draft, meet with key members of your project team. Have a brainstorming session and discuss the different elements of your project and potential scope of your work. Get everyone on board and make sure that the initial project requirements are realistic, reasonable, and doable.

Step 3: Make a draft

Now, you're ready to write the first draft of your SoW. You may be working off a scope of work template , a past scope of work example, or starting completely from scratch. Whatever the case, be sure to keep your client's and team's feedback in mind.

Step: 4: Review, review, review

Once you've finished your draft, don't deliver it right away! It can be tempting to do so, but it's a better idea to put it aside and give it another read through a day or two later. It's also advisable to get a few more pairs of eyes on it to give it a proofread, provide feedback, and determine whether everything is consistent.

Step 5: Deliver your SoW to your client

Once you're happy with your scope of work document, you'll have to pull the plug and deliver it to your client. You won't be able to start work on your project before they sign off on your SoW, so hang tight and wait for their feedback.

Step 6: Communicate with your client & make any necessary changes

When your client gets back to you, they will most likely have feedback. Meet with them and discuss their comments, questions, and concerns. You may have to edit or fine tune your SoW at this stage, or even negotiate specific elements, but not to worry. You'll reach an agreement and everything will get done.

Step 7: Collect final sign offs

Once you and your client are both happy with your scope of work document, it's time to celebrate! Collect the final sign offs, pat yourself on the back for a job well done, and get excited for your project's official initiation!

A scope of work (SoW) template just for you

Slite's free scope of work template

Project Title: Game Changing Project

Document Author(s): Spiderman, M.J. Watson

Document Version: Where applicable

Client Name: The Green Goblin

Current Date: May 10th, 2021

Project Overview: Briefly describe your project, touching on its background, objectives, and the parties working to make it a reality.

Description of Goods & Services

Define what goods or services will be provided within the framework of your project. This can be done in a list format.

Break your project down into a series of tasks and subtasks and include them in a list format for optimal readability.

Deliverables: Describe exactly what your client will receive by the end of your project. Make sure to be specific in this section, as it will make sure that all parties involved are on the same page.

Period of Performance: Outline the timeframe of your project from beginning to end. Be sure to account for due dates and milestones.

Out of Scope List

Since the most important part of your scope of work is defining what's included within the framework of your project, if there's anything you want to clarify definitely isn't included within your project scope, list it here.

• Out of Scope 1
• Out of Scope 2
• Out of Scope 3

Protocol for Changes: If either party needs to make adjustments to the scope of work along the way, you'll need to have a protocol in place outlining how to do so. Account for the necessary steps here.

Payment Schedule & Terms: Define payment terms, conditions, and schedules here. Be sure to include payment information where necessary.

How to share your scope of work

Scope of work documents are only useful if they're actually developed, used, and referred back to by everyone working a project. In order to make that a reality, keep the following best practices in mind.

Work on your SoW together

Even though the project manager and the client will make the final sign offs on any scope of work, it's important to work on the document collaboratively so everyone is in the know and involved. It's easy to do so when using a project management software like Slite .

Working on your scope of work collaboratively is extra beneficial because it allows for a wide range of input and feedback, ensuring that all the information that goes into it is accurate and doable.

Share your SoW far & wide

Once your scope of work is finalized, make sure everyone working on your project knows what it is, how to access it, and to refer back to it regularly. A scope of work document simply won't be effective if it isn't used as an essential reference document by everyone on the project team. Share it far and wide: send out links, compose a team-wide email, reference it during meetings... the works.

Keep the conversation going

An effective scope of work shouldn't be created and then forgotten about. Make sure it remains at the forefront of conversations internally and with clients. If something isn't accurate or working well, be sure to address it and fix it. If your work is getting off-track or taking an unexpected turn, consistently refer back to your SoW.

Tips on writing an effective scope of work

Since your scope of work document is so important, it's only logical that it should be written with care. In order to get the most out of your scope of work, keep the following tips and best practices in mind when you're getting started.

Be specific

Writing a scope of work document is not the time to be vague. Your SoW should outline the work to be done within the framework of your project in as much detail as possible. This is the best way to ensure that everyone working on the project is on the same page and that mutual expectations are clear.

Likewise, it's important to be specific when talking about other key details like project deliverables, project schedule, and budgetary & financial details.

Keep it real(istic)

After determining all the tasks, milestones, and deliverables that will make up your project, you'll need to provide an initial budget and project schedule. When doing so, it's important to be realistic and not make any false promises. It can be tempting to exaggerate or commit to getting things done as quickly as possible, but you'll get a lot more credibility and do a better job if you decide on a realistic timeframe and budget.

It's also a great idea to consult colleagues and other project team members when estimating your schedule and budget to confirm that everything is doable.

Communicate openly

Like all things in the project management world, communication is a key element of putting together a great scope of work.

First, you should meet and communicate openly with all the most important people on your project team before submitting your scope of work. This will ensure that everyone has signed off on its contents and will be able to deliver what they've committed to.

It's also a good idea to meet with your client in the early stages of writing a scope of work and/or statement of work. This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for them and have initial discussions on things like project schedule, project deliverables, project objectives, financials, and resources. This kind of conversation will help you avoid any surprises when you deliver the scope of work and ensure that it'll be accepted quickly.

Use visuals

Sometimes a picture's worth a thousand words. Even though your scope of work should be concise, don't be afraid to include photos, charts, graphics or other media if they explain something better than words.

Slite 's software makes it easy to add visual elements like files, images, tables, videos, and links into your scope of work document .

Make it short & sweet

A scope of work is usually a section within a larger document like a statement of work or project plan . Owing to this, keep it as concise as possible. It's difficult to strike the right balance between brief and detailed, but you can achieve this by only including need to know information and nothing extra.

You're ready to write an excellent scope of work

If you've made it through this step-by-step guide, you're ready to start writing your very own scope of work. You've no doubt learned what handy documents they are and the amount of problems they help solve and avoid. No one really likes writing documentation, but we promise that scopes of work are highly useful and worth the initial time investment you have to put into developing them.

You have everything you need to become a scope of work expert, so what are you waiting for?

Laure Albouy is Slite's first marketing hire and in charge of Product Marketing. Her role? Making sure our users get the most out of Slite —including guides, product announcements, market research and more. Laure lives in Paris and is a pasta afficionada.

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