Nonprofit implementation guide
Guide 1: Turn the statement of work into an operating plan
Translate scope, assumptions, deliverables, and fees into a working implementation charter.
Start with the operating result
A statement of work describes a commercial agreement. The delivery team also needs a plain-language view of what people should be able to do, which records and decisions must improve, and what services must remain stable while work changes.
Write the result, non-goals, affected roles, systems of record, deadline source, constraints, and the assumptions that would materially change time, cost, or risk.
Convert phases into decision gates
For each phase, name the output, nonprofit input, consultant responsibility, review window, acceptance authority, and evidence that permits the next phase to begin. Discovery should be allowed to change the plan through an explicit decision.
Separate a deliverable from an activity. A workshop is an activity. An approved process map, data rule, configuration decision, test result, or handoff record can support a decision.
Reconcile the charter with the agreement
Record exclusions, dependencies, access limits, subcontractors, change control, escalation, invoicing triggers, and what happens if work pauses. Resolve differences with the contract owner before relying on the charter.
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