Practical examples of scope of work examples in MSAs

Why strong scope of work examples in MSAs matter now

If you’re a freelancer or small agency, your MSA is the legal backbone of your client relationships. But the scope of work—usually in an attached exhibit or statement of work (SOW)—is where things actually live or die.

In 2024–2025, scopes have had to get sharper because:

• Remote work means more asynchronous communication and more room for misinterpretation.
• AI tools blur the line between “quick tweak” and “new deliverable.”
• Clients expect ongoing optimization, not just one-off projects.
• Data privacy and security standards keep tightening.

That’s why real, detailed examples of scope of work examples in MSAs are so valuable. You don’t need abstract theory; you need language you can plug in, tweak, and enforce.

Below, you’ll see how different industries handle this, with phrases that lawyers like and clients understand.

Design & creative: examples of scope of work examples in MSAs

Let’s start with a classic pain point: design projects that never end.

Here’s a design scope example of what you might attach as Exhibit A to your MSA for a brand identity project:

Scope of Work – Brand Identity Package
Contractor will provide brand identity services for Client’s new product line. Services include:
• Discovery: one 60-minute kickoff call; review of up to three (3) existing brand assets; competitive review of up to five (5) competitors.
• Deliverables: primary logo (vector and PNG), secondary logo, color palette (primary and secondary), typography recommendations (up to three font pairings), and a 10–15 page brand style guide (PDF).
• Revisions: up to two (2) rounds of revisions on the primary logo concepts and one (1) round of revisions on the style guide. A “round” means consolidated feedback from Client in a single written response.
• Timeline: initial concepts delivered within ten (10) business days of kickoff; final files delivered within five (5) business days after final approval.
• Out of Scope: packaging design, website design, copywriting, photography, and any additional logo variations beyond those listed above. These services may be added by written change order.

This is one of the best examples of how to avoid scope creep in creative work because it:

• Defines how many revisions and what a revision round means.
• Lists what is out of scope just as clearly as what is in scope.
• Connects work to a timeline, not just vague “phases.”

Other examples include:

• A social media design scope that specifies number of posts per month, platforms covered, and whether engagement (comments, DMs) is included.
• A video editing scope that lists number of cuts, video length, number of revisions, and whether captions, thumbnails, or platform-specific formats (Reels, Shorts) are included.

These real examples of scope of work examples in MSAs show that the more measurable your deliverables, the fewer arguments you’ll have later.

Software & tech: examples of scope of work in MSAs for development

Software projects are notorious for “while you’re in there, can you also…” requests. A strong MSA plus a precise scope can prevent that from turning into unpaid labor.

Here’s a software development example of a scope attached to an MSA:

Scope of Work – Custom Web Application (Phase 1)
Contractor will design and develop a web application for Client’s internal use. Scope covers Phase 1 only.
• Features: user authentication (email + password), role-based access (admin, manager, staff), dashboard showing three (3) KPIs, and CSV export of reports.
• Tech Stack: React front-end, Node.js back-end, PostgreSQL database, hosted on Client’s AWS account.
• Deliverables: source code in Client’s GitHub repository, deployment to one (1) production environment, and basic documentation (setup instructions and feature overview up to ten (10) pages).
• Testing: unit tests for critical business logic; one (1) round of user acceptance testing support (up to eight (8) hours).
• Timeline: estimated twelve (12) weeks from kickoff, assuming timely Client feedback.
• Exclusions: mobile apps, integrations with third-party APIs, advanced analytics, SSO, and ongoing maintenance. These may be covered under a separate SOW.

With AI coding assistants now common, another trend in 2024–2025 scopes is explicitly addressing AI use. For example:

Contractor may use AI-assisted tools (e.g., code generation, code review) to increase efficiency. Contractor remains responsible for ensuring that deliverables are original to Contractor, do not infringe third-party rights, and comply with the MSA’s confidentiality and security obligations.

That kind of clause shows up more frequently as organizations update their policies around AI and data security. For reference, see evolving guidance around AI and data protection from bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S.

Marketing & content: best examples of scope of work language

Marketing scopes tend to blur because results are ongoing and performance-based. The best examples of scope of work examples in MSAs for marketing separate inputs (what you do) from outcomes (what might happen).

Consider this content marketing scope example of how to frame a retainer:

Scope of Work – Monthly Content Marketing Retainer
Contractor will provide ongoing content marketing services to support Client’s lead generation goals.
• Deliverables per calendar month: four (4) long-form blog posts (1,500–2,000 words each), two (2) email newsletters, and content briefs for two (2) additional posts to be written by Client.
• Included Services: topic research, keyword recommendations, on-page SEO formatting (headings, metadata suggestions), and one (1) round of revisions per deliverable.
• Performance: Contractor will optimize content based on current best practices but does not guarantee specific rankings, traffic, or revenue outcomes.
• Meetings: one (1) 45-minute strategy call per month; asynchronous communication via email and project management tool.
• Out of Scope: paid ad management, landing page design, marketing automation setup, and CRM configuration.

For social media retainers, examples include specifying:

• Number of posts per platform per week.
• Whether you handle community management (comments, DMs) and how fast you respond.
• Whether you create original photography/video or only use client-provided assets.

These real examples of scope of work examples in MSAs clarify that you’re selling a defined package of work, not unlimited marketing support.

Consulting & strategy: examples of scope of work examples in MSAs for advisors

Consulting scopes can get airy fast. That’s dangerous, because “strategy” can expand to fill any available time and budget.

Here’s a management consulting example of a scope attached to an MSA:

Scope of Work – Operations Assessment Project
Contractor will perform an operations assessment of Client’s U.S. warehouse network and provide recommendations.
• Activities: review of existing process documentation; analysis of twelve (12) months of operational data; up to fifteen (15) stakeholder interviews (45–60 minutes each); and on-site observation at up to two (2) warehouse locations.
• Deliverables: one (1) diagnostic report (25–40 pages) summarizing current state, key findings, and prioritized recommendations; one (1) implementation roadmap (PowerPoint, 15–20 slides).
• Workshops: two (2) half-day virtual workshops to review findings and align on next steps.
• Timeline: approximately ten (10) weeks from project kickoff.
• Not Included: implementation of recommendations, software configuration, or hiring support.

Notice how the scope quantifies interviews, workshops, and pages. These are the kind of practical details that separate vague promises from enforceable work.

If your consulting touches regulated areas—healthcare, finance, education—your MSA and scope should also acknowledge compliance with relevant standards. For example, a health operations consultant might reference HIPAA guidance from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to show awareness of privacy requirements.

Ongoing services: real examples of scope of work examples in MSAs for retainers

Many freelancers shift from project work to retainers or managed services. That’s where scopes can become dangerously fuzzy.

Here’s a maintenance and support example of a scope under an MSA for a tech retainer:

Scope of Work – Website Maintenance & Support
Contractor will provide ongoing maintenance and support for Client’s marketing website.
• Included Services: application of security patches and software updates to CMS and installed plugins; uptime monitoring; monthly backup verification; and up to eight (8) hours per month of minor content or layout updates.
• Response Times: support requests acknowledged within one (1) business day; critical uptime issues addressed within four (4) hours during business hours.
• Service Windows: routine updates performed Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Contractor’s local time, excluding Contractor’s standard holidays.
• Reporting: monthly summary of updates performed and incidents resolved.
• Exclusions: new feature development, major redesigns, and SEO strategy.

Other examples include:

• IT support scopes that define number of supported users, supported devices, and supported hours.
• HR consulting scopes that define number of policy reviews, training sessions, or office hours per month.

In 2024–2025, more clients expect some kind of service level language (response times, availability windows) even for small vendors. That doesn’t mean you need enterprise-grade SLAs, but you should state when you’re available and how you’ll respond.

For inspiration on how larger organizations describe service levels and responsibilities, you can look at public-sector contracting examples from sites like USA.gov or federal procurement resources. You’re not copying them, but you can see how they draw lines around tasks and responsibilities.

Data, privacy, and AI: modern examples of scope of work in MSAs

A modern scope of work isn’t just about tasks. It often touches how you handle data, privacy, and AI tools.

Here’s a data analytics example of a scope that reflects current expectations:

Scope of Work – Marketing Analytics Dashboard
Contractor will design and implement a marketing analytics dashboard for Client’s internal use.
• Data Sources: Google Analytics 4, Meta Ads Manager, and Client’s CRM (Salesforce).
• Activities: data model design; development of up to three (3) dashboard views; configuration of up to ten (10) standard metrics and five (5) calculated metrics; and creation of user documentation (5–10 pages).
• Privacy & Security: Contractor will access Client’s data only through Client-approved accounts and VPN, will not download or store raw customer data locally, and will not use Client data to train any AI models.
• Out of Scope: changes to Client’s internal security policies, legal compliance assessments, or vendor risk management.

This kind of language has become more common as organizations respond to privacy regulations and internal policies. While you don’t need to write like a regulator, it’s worth understanding basic privacy concepts. For general background, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) publishes guidance on privacy and data security practices for businesses.

How to write your own: patterns from the best examples

If you look across all these examples of scope of work examples in MSAs, a few patterns repeat:

• Quantify everything you can. Number of deliverables, revisions, meetings, hours, pages, posts, or users.
• Separate “in scope” from “out of scope.” Don’t assume the client knows what’s not included.
• Tie work to time. State timelines, response windows, or service hours.
• Define the process. How feedback works, what counts as a revision round, how change requests are handled.
• Acknowledge modern realities. Remote work, AI tools, privacy, and security.

When in doubt, ask yourself: Could a reasonable stranger read this scope and understand what work is being done, when, and with what limits? If not, you’re not done.

For freelancers and small firms, it can also be worth comparing your language with templates from reputable educational institutions, even if you’re not copying them. Universities often publish sample consulting or research agreements; for instance, law schools like Harvard Law School host contract-drafting resources that can sharpen your instincts for clear, specific language.

The goal isn’t legalese. The goal is clarity.

FAQ: examples of scope of work examples in MSAs

What is a simple example of a scope of work in an MSA?
A simple example of scope of work language might be: “Contractor will design and deliver one (1) responsive, five-page marketing website, including homepage, about, services, blog index, and contact page. Contractor will provide up to two (2) design concepts for the homepage and up to two (2) rounds of revisions on the selected concept. Copywriting, photography, hosting, and ongoing maintenance are not included.” It’s short, but it still quantifies deliverables and exclusions.

What are the best examples of scope of work clauses for avoiding scope creep?
The best examples usually (1) define what a “revision round” means, (2) cap the number of revisions or hours, and (3) require written change orders for extra work. For instance: “Any work beyond the deliverables and revision rounds listed above will be treated as a change request and, if approved in writing by both parties, billed at Contractor’s then-current hourly rate.”

Can one MSA cover many projects with different scopes of work?
Yes. That’s exactly how many companies operate. The MSA sets the legal framework (payment terms, IP, confidentiality), and each project gets its own statement of work or exhibit with a specific scope. The real examples of scope of work examples in MSAs above are all written as if they’re separate exhibits under one master agreement.

How detailed should my scope be in 2024–2025?
More detailed than you think. Remote collaboration, AI tooling, and privacy expectations mean vague scopes cause more friction than ever. A good rule of thumb: if a task, deliverable, or limit would affect your time or your invoice, it belongs in the scope.

Where can I find more examples of scope of work language?
You can learn a lot from public-sector RFPs and contracts, university procurement sites, and professional association resources. They often publish sample scopes of work for IT services, consulting, and research. Use them as inspiration, then simplify for your freelance or small-business context.