Scope of Work
Describe tasks, project phases, timelines, locations, and any exclusions. A detailed scope prevents scope creep and supports accurate invoicing and performance measurement, including acceptance criteria and related milestones.
Using a Business Services BSM centralizes scope, payment terms, and acceptance criteria, reducing disputes and clarifying responsibilities. It creates an auditable record that supports billing, regulatory compliance, and contract enforcement. Electronically executed BSMs are admissible under ESIGN and state UETA where applicable.
Identify the stakeholders who prepare, review, or sign a Business Services BSM to ensure correct routing and authorization.
Clear role assignment reduces approval delays and supports accurate recordkeeping for audits and financial reporting.
Describe tasks, project phases, timelines, locations, and any exclusions. A detailed scope prevents scope creep and supports accurate invoicing and performance measurement, including acceptance criteria and related milestones.
List tangible outputs, acceptance checkpoints, delivery dates, and dependencies. Tie milestones to payment triggers and include versioning, delivery formats, and reporting requirements to reduce disputes.
Specify fees, billing frequency, invoicing contacts, late-payment penalties, and any retainers. Clarify tax treatment, reimbursable expenses, and accepted payment methods, including invoice submission format and approval timeframe.
Define measurable tests, inspection procedures, approval authorities, and remediation steps for deficient work. Acceptance criteria determine when deliverables are 'completed' for billing and include any warranty or cure periods.
Allocate risk, limits on liability, indemnities, insurance requirements, contract term, renewal mechanics, and termination rights including cure periods, post-termination obligations, and data handling transition assistance obligations.
Provide signature blocks for authorized representatives, printed names, titles, and dates. Note any witness or notarization requirements and acceptable e-signature methods under ESIGN/UETA and record retention specifics for audit trails.
| Field | Configuration | Example |
|---|---|
| Signer Order and Routing Mode | Sequential | Signers complete steps in order |
| Authentication and Identity Verification | Email + SMS OTP | Optional KBA or ID credential analysis |
| Field Validation Rules | Required fields | Date MM/DD/YYYY; numeric currency formats |
| Retention and Storage Settings | Storage target | Contract repository; specify retention policy |
Supported delivery channels, integrations, and file formats used to distribute and collect the Business Services BSM electronically.
1–5 business days for standard statements; complex projects take longer.
2–7 business days depending on routing and approvals.
Allow 5–15 business days for review and negotiation.
Aim to obtain signatures within 10 business days.
Store executed BSM within one business day of signing.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by vendor |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Optica Ventures used an electronic BSM to centralize statements of work, bringing supplier agreements and billing terms into a single, searchable record.
Martin Properties processed lease-related BSMs electronically to allow mobile signing and offline completion for field agents completing rental agreements.