Master Services Agreement for Fractional CTOs: What to Include (Customizable Template)

Introduction

As a Fractional CTO, having a clear Master Services Agreement is crucial for managing your multi-phase projects effectively. This type of agreement helps ensure smooth approvals, handoffs, and ultimately leads to successful outcomes for both you and your clients. Customize your Master Services Agreement now.

Legal Terms: What Matters Most for Fractional CTOs

Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership

• Specify that IP ownership transfers only upon full payment of fees. This protects your work until you have been compensated.
• Clearly state that clients cannot feed your work into AI models without permission. This safeguards your creative output and ensures it isn't misused.
• Discuss attribution rights. Consider retaining source files while granting clients the appropriate licensing for use and portfolio rights.

Revision Limits, Acceptance, and Payment Milestones

• Set clear limits on the number of revisions included in your fee. This helps manage client expectations and keeps work streamlined.
• Define acceptance criteria for deliverables. When the client knows what to expect, it helps avoid miscommunication.
• Create a simple scheduling of payment milestones that aligns with project phases. This ensures you are paid for your work at appropriate intervals.

Scope Creep and Change Orders

• Identify clear triggers for when a change order is necessary. This will help in managing project scope effectively.
• Provide pricing guidance for additional work. Knowing the costs involved in changes upfront helps clients make informed decisions.
• Include language about how changes will impact the project schedule. This sets the stage for discussions about timelines if alterations occur.

Other Helpful Clauses for Fractional CTOs

• Portfolio Rights: Allow yourself to showcase your work in portfolios. This can boost your credibility as a Fractional CTO.
• Confidentiality: Protect client sensitive information by including confidentiality clauses. This builds trust and reassures clients about your professionalism.

How Counsel Club Helps

Counsel Club re-imagines legal for startups, freelancers, and creative entrepreneurs. Our platform allows you to search for lawyer-drafted forms for startups, freelancers, content creators, and other creative entrepreneurs. Our platform guides you through modifications, both to the contract and the scope of work. Counsel Club has the most sophisticated drafting tool on the market, and it was designed and developed by lawyers. If you want more help, reach out to a Counsel Club lawyer through our Concierge program. Our legal agent, Amicus, was trained on proprietary legal data to be your best legal assistant. Finally, legal for today, that is fast, protective, and cost effective.

Questions to Ask Amicus

• What rights do I retain over my work once delivered?
• How many revisions can I include before extra fees apply?
• What should I do if the project scope changes unexpectedly?

Closing CTA

It's time to create your Master Services Agreement paired with Statements of Work (SOWs). Customize your Master Services Agreement now.