Scope ambiguity

Language in a contract or SOW that is vague or open to multiple reasonable interpretations about what is or isn't included, creating the conditions for scope disputes.

Example

An SOW promises "a modern, responsive website" without specifying page count, CMS functionality, or browser support — leaving "modern" and "responsive" open to very different interpretations from the agency and the client.

Why it matters for agencies

Scope ambiguity is the root cause behind most "I thought this was included" disagreements — the client isn't necessarily acting in bad faith, they genuinely read the same vague language differently than the agency intended it. Precise language upfront is cheaper than resolving the disagreement later.