Subject matter experts discuss industry usage, benefits, and the overall “SOW-what” of SOW
Enthusiasm to adopt Statements of Work (SOW) into more contract workforce programs has been steadily gaining industry-wide, yet many organizations are unclear on whether SOW is right for them or not.
In a recent webinar, HireArt’s Tami LaSance and Lee Pacheco were joined by Angela Westhead of Zendesk to discuss the ins and outs of SOW, including current uses, benefits, and common challenges, among other topics. The following are three key takeaways from that conversation.
SOWs are often perceived as merely a legally binding document (which is technically true), but it’s important to think of them as encompassing an entire engagement process that includes best practices and how they relate to contingent workers and projects.
SOWs provide a comprehensive framework that guide how projects involving contingent workers are executed. This includes the lifecycle of engagement, from defining scope of work and outlining deliverables to setting clear performance benchmarks and managing compliance.
Having a clear governance structure and documented program policies is an important part of effective SOW management. Clear policies and guidance keep all stakeholders aligned and help avoid potential misuse of the SOW framework.
A big benefit of strong governance is the ability to maintain control over supplier relationships and costs. Documentation is helpful here - supplier relationship management guides and regular training for new managers keep stakeholders current with best practices for hiring and managing SOW workers, which results in more accountable spending.
Another important factor to consider is performance tracking. This involves setting clear benchmarks and milestones in the SOW and performing regular reviews. Companies should endeavor to keep detailed records of all SOW workers, including names, roles, costs, and access levels, all of which will help increase visibility into who is working on what projects. This in turn makes it easier to address any issues that might come up. A comprehensive technology solution, such as a vendor management system, can be a helpful tool.
Maintaining this level of accountability doesn’t just create a high standard of work quality, either. There is a good amount of risk mitigation that comes with it. Ensuring workers have all undergone necessary background checks, signed confidentiality agreements, and have appropriate access to systems through a well documented onboarding process helps protect the company from unwanted outcomes.
HireArt is a contract workforce operating system that lets companies source, employ, and manage top-performing contract workforces. We provide our clients with the tools and visibility needed to easily manage their contract workforce and staffing vendors in a single seamless, instantly-deployable platform. Schedule a demo today to learn more.
To watch the full recording of “Exploring Statements of Work (SOW) in Contract Workforce Management”, click here.
