A sow is an adult female swine or the adult female of various other animals such as a bear. However, the term "SOW" can also refer to a statement of work, which is a document routinely employed in the field of project management. It is a legally binding document that captures and defines all the work management aspects of a project, including the activities, deliverables, and timetable for the project. It defines the terms and conditions agreed upon between parties and lays the groundwork for the project plan. The SOW helps to avoid conflicts in the project and keeps everyone involved in the project on the same page, working to leave confusion to a minimum. The SOW can be broken down into three main categories, including design/detail SOW, level of effort SOW, and performance-based SOW.