Write a Statement of Work (SOW)

If you need outside help with the user-centered design process or with specific usability activities, you will need to prepare a Request for Quotation (RFQ) which includes a Statement of Work (SOW).

An SOW describes the work to be performed and usually includes a timeline and level of effort so that a vendor or contractor can respond to the RFQ with a proposal and cost estimate. You can then select the most qualified help at the most affordable cost.

SOWs should include the following:

• work to be performed
• location of the work
• period of performance and timeline
• deliverable schedule
• any special requirements (such as security clearances, travel required, special skills or knowledge)

The evaluation criteria may include:

• the bidder's plan for performing the work
• the skills and experience of the individuals who are proposed for the work
• the past performance and other projects that the company has completed
• price

To help you issue a contract or task order for usability support, we have provided some sample SOWs:

• Usability Statement of Work (DOC - 93KB)

Sample SOW covers a range of user-centered design activities, including:
• evaluation of current sites
• user research and analysis
• user and task analysis
• information architecture and content organization
• iterative usability testing
• Usability and Focus Group Participant Recruitment (DOC - 36KB)
  Sample SOW on usability and focus group recruitment.
• Web Usability Consulting (DOC - 42KB)
  Sample SOW for acquiring usability analysis and testing.
• Web Usability Testing (DOC - 48KB)
  Sample SOW for acquiring usability testing and documenting lessons learned.

top of page

Next steps

As you review responses to your Statement of Work, you may find useful questions to think about in our article on Hire a Usability Specialist.

Once you have your usability expert(s) on board, you may be ready to Hold a Kick-Off Meeting.

top of page