SOW Comparison Guide

Quick reference to help you choose between Full SOW and Mini-SOW.

Side-by-Side Comparison

When to Use Each

Use Mini-SOW When:

✅ Project Characteristics:

• Standard website build
• Clear, defined scope
• Budget under $10,000
• Timeline 4-6 weeks
• Minimal custom features
• Using standard VRV packages

✅ Client Characteristics:

• Existing VRV client
• Has signed master agreement
• Low legal risk
• Small business/individual
• Straightforward requirements
• Fast decision maker

✅ Examples:

• “5-page brochure website for local realtor”
• “Restaurant website with menu and reservations”
• “Portfolio site for photographer”
• “Small e-commerce store (10-20 products)”
• “Landing page for marketing campaign”

Use Full SOW When:

❌ Project Characteristics:

• Complex custom development
• Multiple phases/milestones
• Budget over $10,000
• Timeline 8+ weeks
• Custom integrations (APIs, databases)
• Unique or experimental features

❌ Client Characteristics:

• First-time VRV client
• No master agreement on file
• Corporate/enterprise client
• Multiple stakeholders
• Complex approval processes
• Legal/compliance requirements

❌ Examples:

• “Multi-vendor marketplace platform”
• “Custom CRM integration with Salesforce”
• “Mobile app + web dashboard”
• “E-learning platform with user management”
• “SaaS product MVP development”

Quick Decision Tree

Is this a new client?
├─ YES → Use Full SOW (need complete legal terms)
└─ NO → Continue...

Is the budget over $10,000?
├─ YES → Use Full SOW (complexity warrants detail)
└─ NO → Continue...

Are there custom integrations or complex features?
├─ YES → Use Full SOW (need detailed specifications)
└─ NO → Continue...

Does timeline exceed 8 weeks?
├─ YES → Use Full SOW (multiple phases need detail)
└─ NO → Use Mini-SOW ✅

What Each Document Includes

Mini-SOW Includes:

• Brief project overview
• 3-4 key features
• Basic deliverables checklist
• 2-3 milestone timeline
• Simple payment schedule
• Client responsibilities
• Ownership options (Full/Managed)
• Reference to master agreement
• Signature blocks

Mini-SOW References Master Agreement For:

• Complete intellectual property terms
• Warranties and liability limits
• Confidentiality provisions
• Dispute resolution procedures
• Force majeure clauses
• Insurance requirements
• Termination conditions

Full SOW Includes Everything:

• Detailed executive summary
• Comprehensive scope definition
• Complete deliverables specifications
• Detailed timeline with 5-8 milestones
• Payment schedule with conditions
• Acceptance criteria for each deliverable
• Full IP ownership terms (both options)
• Complete warranty provisions
• Terms & conditions (8+ sections)
• Assumptions & dependencies
• Success metrics & KPIs
• Communication protocols
• Risk assessment
• Signature blocks

Master Agreement Requirement

Important: Mini-SOW requires an existing Master Services Agreement.

If Client Has Master Agreement:

• Use Mini-SOW for speed and simplicity
• Reference agreement date and location
• Focus on project-specific details

If Client Does NOT Have Master Agreement:

Two options:

1. Use Full SOW (includes all legal terms)
2. Sign Master Agreement First (then use Mini-SOW)

Recommended: Have 5-10 key clients sign master agreements upfront, then use Mini-SOW for all future projects.

Variable Complexity

Mini-SOW Variables (~35):

Most variables are simple and quick to fill:

• Client/project names
• Dates (start, end, milestones)
• Dollar amounts (total, deposit, payments)
• Basic contact info
• 3-4 feature descriptions
• Out of scope items

Average completion time: 15-30 minutes

Full SOW Variables (75+):

Comprehensive variables requiring research:

• Detailed technical specifications
• Multiple milestone descriptions
• Acceptance criteria for each deliverable
• Risk assessments
• Success metrics and KPIs
• Insurance requirements
• Detailed payment schedules
• Change order procedures

Average completion time: 1-2 hours

Pricing Guidance

Mini-SOW Projects (Typical):

• Small Business Sites: $3,000 - $6,000
• Standard 5-10 Page Sites: $4,000 - $8,000
• Basic E-commerce: $5,000 - $10,000
• Landing Pages: $1,500 - $3,500
• Portfolio Sites: $2,500 - $5,000

Full SOW Projects (Typical):

• Complex Websites: $10,000 - $25,000
• Custom Applications: $15,000 - $50,000
• SaaS Products: $25,000 - $100,000+
• Enterprise Solutions: $50,000 - $200,000+
• Mobile Apps: $20,000 - $75,000

Tips for Success

Using Mini-SOW:

1. ✅ Keep scope descriptions brief but clear
2. ✅ Use checkboxes for deliverables
3. ✅ Limit to 2-3 milestones max
4. ✅ Reference master agreement explicitly
5. ✅ Focus on client-facing features, not tech details
6. ✅ Have template defaults ready for common projects

Using Full SOW:

1. ✅ Take time to detail each section thoroughly
2. ✅ Include technical specifications
3. ✅ Define acceptance criteria clearly
4. ✅ Break into 5-8 detailed milestones
5. ✅ Include risk assessment and mitigation
6. ✅ Review with legal counsel before finalizing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Don’t Use Mini-SOW When:

• Client is brand new (no master agreement)
• Scope is unclear or likely to change
• Budget exceeds $10,000
• Timeline exceeds 8 weeks
• Custom development required
• Multiple stakeholders need detailed specs

❌ Don’t Use Full SOW When:

• Project is straightforward
• Client is repeat/existing
• Speed is essential
• Budget is under $5,000
• Standard package/template used

Hybrid Approach

For clients between $8,000-$12,000:

1. Start with Mini-SOW for speed
2. Add supplemental exhibit with technical specs
3. Reference both in master agreement
4. Best of both worlds: fast turnaround + detail where needed

Sample File Naming

Mini-SOW:

MINI_SOW_client_name_2025-10-14.md
MINI_SOW_buckroe_beach_realty_2025-10-14.pdf

Full SOW:

SOW_client_name_2025-10-14.md
SOW_acme_corporation_2025-10-14.pdf

Remember: The goal is to match the document complexity to the project complexity. Over-documenting wastes time; under-documenting creates risk.

When in doubt: Use the Full SOW. It’s better to have more detail than needed than to discover you needed more protection later.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025
Maintained by: Valor Rate Ventures, LLC