As part of my CompTIA Network+ course, I am to define the following initialisms:
RFP, MOU, MSA, SOW, SLA, MLA
Now I do not have a sufficient corporate background to define these terms from personal experience, so I will be paraphrasing CompTIA Network+ by Jill West (ISBN 978-0-357-50813-8) Cengage.
RFP: Request For Proposal
In order to purchase new products or services, an organization may request a proposal from a vendor. The vendor should include all relevant details, such as detailed descriptions, all costs, available training, and support. The proposal can be used for the organization to assess the necessity of a product, as well as how and when the product can be integrated.
MOU: Memorandum Of Understanding
This is a document that communicates the intention of two parties to enter a legally binding agreement. The MOU is not in itself legally binding. Its main purpose seems to be to establish a general understanding between two parties so as to motivate further movement towards a legally binding agreement.
MSA: Master Service Agreement
In order to establish clear relationships, boundaries, and hierarchies, a Master Service Agreement can be drafted. This usually defines any aspect of the working relationship that will remain static as long as the two parties continue to work together. MSAs are legally binding.
SOW: Statement Of Work
A Statement Of Work is a legally binding document covering work that must be done for a given project. A SOW may cover tasks, deliverables, standards, payment schedule and work timeline. It can be specialized or generalized based on the needs and standards of the organization(s) involved.
SLA: Service-Level Agreement
A document that defines the terms of a service provided. The terms should be measurable. Procedures for compensation (should the service fail to meet promised requirements) as well as termination options. SLAs are legally binding.
MLA: Master License Agreement
A Master License Agreement grants license from a rights holder to a person or organization to market, sub-license, or distribute a product, or part of a product (often software) to a third party. This can be a standalone product or a part of a product. MLAs are legally binding.
