Can anyone share a draft/sample of a blanket SOW for custom software development?

As somebody who used to do custom development work, worked at small IT shops, and does planning work now, the statement of work documentation is only as good as the details included within.

Do you have all of the capabilities you need figured out?  how about the KPS/metrics/reporting you need?  

Do you have test harnesses figured out?  Are you importing data from one or more legacy sources?  Have you done your data modeling and data dictionary?  What's the database design look like?

You need to have ALL of your analysis and design work done and documented BEFORE you even think about a statement of work for the actual dev work.  

If you DON'T have all that done, documented, with a business and technical spec for what you want developed, then your statement of work needs to cover the discovery/analysis/design for your solution, and the business and tech specs / designs are the deliverable.  

THEN you worry about implementation.

Hope this helps.  It's the best path to success I've dealt with over my career.

Brian

1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the objectives, scope, deliverables, timelines, and terms of the custom software development project between [Client Name] and [Vendor Name].
1.2 Background
Provide a brief overview of the client’s business and the context for the software development project.
2. Project Overview
2.1 Project Goals
- Clearly define the primary goals of the project.
- Specify any secondary objectives.
2.2 Scope of Work
- Describe or list the features and functionalities to be developed.
- Outline any limitations or exclusions from the project scope.
3. Deliverables
3.1 List of Deliverables
- Detailed description of each deliverable (e.g., software modules, documentation, training materials).
- Acceptance criteria for each deliverable.
3.2 Delivery Schedule
- Timeline for each deliverable with specific milestones.
4. Project Management
4.1 Project Team
- List of key personnel from both the client and vendor sides, including roles and responsibilities.
4.2 Communication Plan
- Define how communication will be handled (meetings, reports, etc.).
- Frequency of status updates.
5. Technical Requirements
5.1 System Requirements
- Outline hardware and software requirements for the project.
- Specify any third-party integrations or dependencies.
5.2 Development Methodology
- Describe the development approach (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
- Detail any tools or technologies to be used.
6. Testing and Quality Assurance
6.1 Testing Strategy
- Outline the testing phases (unit testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing).
- Define roles and responsibilities for testing.
6.2 Quality Assurance
- Describe the quality assurance measures that will be implemented.
7. Acceptance Criteria
7.1 Acceptance Testing
- Define the process for acceptance testing and sign-off.
- Specify criteria for project acceptance.
8. Payment Terms
8.1 Pricing Structure
- Outline the pricing model (fixed price, time and materials, etc.).
- Specify payment milestones and terms.
8.2 Invoicing
- Detail the invoicing process and schedule.
9. Change Management
9.1 Change Control Process
- Describe the process for managing changes to the project scope or deliverables.
- Define how changes will be documented and approved.
10. Confidentiality and Data Security
10.1 Confidentiality Obligations
- Outline the confidentiality obligations of both parties.
10.2 Data Protection
- Describe measures for data protection and compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR).
11. Termination
11.1 Termination Conditions
- Define the conditions under which either party may terminate the agreement.
- Outline the process for termination.
12. Signatures
12.1 Agreement
- By signing below, both parties agree to the terms outlined in this Statement of Work.