Document Types Explained
FlowEdge lets you generate four types of business documents. Each one is structured differently and serves a unique purpose. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right type every time.
The Four Document Types
Proposal
What it is: A persuasive document that presents your approach, qualifications, and pricing for a potential project.
When to use it: When you want to win new work. A proposal explains why you are the right fit, what you will deliver, and how much it will cost.
Typical sections:
- Executive summary
- Your approach and methodology
- Scope of work overview
- Timeline and milestones
- Pricing and investment
- About your business
Statement of Work (SOW)
What it is: A detailed document that defines the scope, deliverables, timeline, and responsibilities for a project.
When to use it: After a client has agreed to work with you. The SOW sets clear expectations about what exactly will be done, by when, and by whom.
Typical sections:
- Project objectives
- Scope and deliverables
- Timeline and milestones
- Roles and responsibilities
- Assumptions and constraints
- Acceptance criteria
💡 Tip
Many consultants generate a Proposal first to win the work, then follow up with a SOW to define the project details. FlowEdge makes it easy to create both for the same project.
Contract
What it is: A formal agreement that outlines the terms, conditions, and legal aspects of your business arrangement.
When to use it: When you need a legally structured document that covers payment terms, confidentiality, liability, termination clauses, and other formal provisions.
Typical sections:
- Parties and definitions
- Scope of services
- Payment terms and schedule
- Confidentiality and IP
- Termination and cancellation
- Limitation of liability
⚠️ Important
FlowEdge-generated contracts are a strong starting point, but they are not legal advice. Always have important contracts reviewed by a qualified attorney before signing.
General Document
What it is: A flexible document type for anything that does not fit neatly into the other categories.
When to use it: When you need a project brief, status report, strategy document, or any other business document. FlowEdge adapts the structure based on your description.
Typical sections:
- Varies based on your description and requirements
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Proposal | SOW | Contract | General |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Win work | Define scope | Formalize terms | Flexible |
| Tone | Persuasive | Precise | Formal | Varies |
| Best for | New clients | Project kickoff | Legal agreements | Everything else |
| Detail level | Medium-High | High | High | Varies |
How to Choose
Still not sure which type to pick? Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I trying to win a new project? Choose Proposal.
- Has the client already agreed, and I need to define the work? Choose SOW.
- Do I need formal terms and conditions? Choose Contract.
- None of the above? Choose General Document.
✅ Best Practice
For a complete client workflow, generate a Proposal to win the project, then create a SOW to define the details, and finish with a Contract to formalize the agreement.
Next Steps
- Learn about Document Depth to control how detailed your output is.
- Ready to generate? See Generate Form Fields for a walkthrough.
- Already generated a document? Head to Edit Documents to learn how to refine it.