When engaging external consultants for a project in life sciences, organizations typically choose between two models: secondment or a Statement of Work (SOW). Here's what a SOW involves and when it's the better fit.
What is a Statement of Work?
A Statement of Work is a contract document that lays out the scope, deliverables, timeline, and responsibilities of a project or service in detail. It is widely used in life sciences when engaging external consultants, project teams, or specialized service providers, precisely because these projects often come with strict quality and compliance requirements.
When to use a SOW
A SOW is most relevant when an organization brings in an external team or specialist for a clearly defined project, such as validation projects, technology transfer, implementation of new systems, or temporary support for a production department. Unlike a regular secondment arrangement, where a consultant works under the client's direction, a SOW defines exactly what result will be delivered, within what timeframe, and against what quality and compliance agreements.
What a well-structured SOW typically includes
A solid SOW in life sciences covers the scope and boundaries of the project, concrete deliverables and acceptance criteria, a timeline with milestones, the roles and responsibilities of both parties, and agreements on quality assurance and compliance, for example conformity with GMP or GxP guidelines.
SOW versus secondment: which model fits your situation?
Both collaboration models have their own use case. Secondment is suitable when you need flexible capacity that integrates with your own teams and ways of working. A SOW-based approach fits better with a concrete, well-defined project that has a clear end result. Many life sciences organizations combine both models, depending on the nature of the challenge.
SIRE® Life Sciences supports Dutch life sciences organizations in staffing projects through consultancy, project management, and secondment, whether based on a traditional secondment model or a Statement of Work. Our consultants combine subject-matter expertise with experience in regulated environments, so that projects are delivered on time and in compliance.
This article originally appeared on the SIRE Life Sciences blog.
For a broader look at how this compares with MSP-based engagement models, see our related guide on MSP vs. SOW in life sciences.
Top comments (0)