12 Free Project Brief Templates & Examples (Word | PDF)

At some point, you might wonder why a given project doesnโ€™t turn out the way you expected it to be. Usually, this is a common problem experienced by inexperienced marketers and designers. Well, if you have experienced such, itโ€™s probably because you didnโ€™t define the project objectives, expectations, and deliverables earlier on stage. Therefore, to avoid such scenarios, you must implement a detailed project brief template before commencing the actual project.

In simple terms,

A project brief is a document that highlights all the project ideas. It contains the essential requirements of the project, including the goals, scope, and constraints.

Also, it describes what is required and the time frame needed for the project to achieve its goals. If handled with the utmost care and significant consideration, a good template for a project brief should be able to address various parameters such as who, why, what, and when of your projects.

Free Templates

Word format

Great Customizable Team Gantt Project Brief Template for Word Document

Great Customizable Design Project Brief Template for Word Document

Great Customizable Creative Project Brief Template for Word Document

Great Customizable Mobile App Project Brief Template for Word Document

Great Customizable Website Project Brief Template for Word Document

    PDF format

    Free Printable Project Brief Guide for Pdf File

    Free Printable Project Brief Draft Template for Pdf File

    Free Printable Project Briefing Example for Pdf File

    Free Printable Construction Industry Design Brief Example for Pdf File

    Free Printable National Library Design Brief Example for Pdf File

    Free Printable Northern Health Project Brief Example for Pdf File

    Free Editable Work Scope Project Brief Example as Pdf format

    Free Editable Project Brief Document Template as Pdf format

    Free Editable BIC Briefing Document Template as Pdf format

    Free Editable Life Saving Club Project Brief Example as Pdf format

    Free Editable Environmental Project Brief Example as Pdf format

    Great Professional Share Point Project Brief Example for Pdf File

    Great Professional NSW Project Brief Example for Pdf File

    Free Editable BIC Project Briefing Template for Pdf Sample

    Great Professional Helios Design Website Brief Sample for Pdf File

      How Important is a Project Brief to Your Project?

      If you have ever planned a road trip, youโ€™ll understand the importance of having a map. Just like the way a map guides you towards your destination, a project brief similarly guides your project towards its successful completion.

      Therefore, writing this ensures your project goes as required. It helps make informed decisions, proper management, and scope execution. Therefore, before proceeding with your project, always think of the following benefits:

      Contributes to the effective project outcome

      A project brief makes you in a better position to understand the logistics needed in your project. This makes you know which supplies are best for your project. Also, youโ€™ll always know what problems can occur and how to address them best.

      Lastly, youโ€™ll always guide the implementation of the project towards the defined goals and objectives. Eventually, the project will have a successful and productive outcome.

      Saves time and money

      As mentioned earlier, the project brief template makes you understand what it takes to make your project successful. With such a knowledge background, youโ€™ll always give a precise estimate of supplies. Therefore, your suppliers will always get it right from the word go. As a result, cases of project delays and inflated costs will be reduced significantly.

      Makes management of costs easier

      Once youโ€™ve identified what you want for your project, youโ€™ll always work harmoniously with your project suppliers. At the same time, your supplier/project implementer wonโ€™t have to spend much on researching your business, your competitors, and your target audience. Working on an agreed project brief, therefore, the template makes the project management more comfortable and more efficient.

      Step by Step Guide to Write a Project Brief

      The length of your project brief template can vary with the type, scope, or scale of your project. The more elaborate your plan is, the longer the project brief will be. However, you should always ensure your brief flows naturally as per your project requirements.

      If you are wondering where to start with your project brief, here is a step-by-step guide that will help you through:

      Identify your company profile

      Before going into any detail, you should be able to explain who the project is being created for and for what purpose. Once youโ€™ve identified your intended clients, youโ€™ll make it easy for your project managers to understand the client and the brand more easily.  Also, be sure to mention what your projects focus on and the main features being delivered.

      Describe what your project is all about

      Here, you need to provide an overview of what your project entails. Mention whether your project is creating new products/services or redesigning things that already existed. Also, mention which stakeholder will be responsible for the project implementation. Lastly, identify some critical details as well as the requirements needed in the project implementation in the template. Remember, meeting the requirements of the project plays a crucial role in the overall completion of any given project.

      Define your objectives

      Usually, setting well-defined objectives can be easier said than done. However, if you want to set better goals, always use the SMART principle, i.e., your goals should be Specific (mention the 5Ws, i.e., who, why, when, what, and where), Measurable (include some figures or metrics), Achievable, Realistic and Timely.

      Identify your target audience

      To achieve your project goals, you need to create a personalised project. Ensure your project creates things that meet the demands of your target audience. Therefore, take some time and learn your target audience. Ask them about their likes and preferences. This will provide you with an essential insight on how to meet their needs.

      Plan your schedules and budget

      Once youโ€™ve identified your audience, you must work on your time frame as well. Every project implementation requires proper budgeting and scheduling. Prior budgeting and scheduling help avoid the last-minute rush, which would otherwise affect the overall project outcome. Therefore, note down what is expected and at what date in the project brief template. Also, calculate the total project budget that will be needed to complete the project successfully.

      Determine the project scope

      For your project to achieve its ambition, it needs a well-defined scope. Range helps outline the projectโ€™s deliverables, features, tasks, budget, and deadlines. Also, it helps you to stay relevant in your project execution. Defining your project scopes is an essential step for internal planning and helps in reaching a clear understanding among different stakeholders.

      Measure your success

      This is the final step of making your project brief here; you need to evaluate whether the effort, resources, and time put into the project will pay off. If not, you will determine what needs to be done to make the project successful.

      What to Include in a Project Brief Template?

      • Background overview
      • Project objectives, ambition, and goals
      • Challenges likely to be faced
      • Target audience
      • Description of competition
      • Time schedules
      • Contact information

      Conclusion

      The success of a project, regardless of its size, majorly depends on prior planning. Proper planning helps in proper project execution as it enlightens every stakeholder of what is required at a specific time. One thing that makes project planning effective is a project brief. A project brief helps outline all the milestones, and everything needed to complete a project successfully. Therefore, if you are planning to do a project, donโ€™t forget to draft a project brief. 

      About This Article

      Authored by:
      Professional Business Management, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, Supplier Management
      With over 15 years in professional business management and an additional 4 years in e-commerce, Ryan Powell has distinguished himself as a strategic leader, steering sites to generate revenues exceeding $100 million. His approach emphasizes proactive problem-solving and profit optimization. Personal attributes such as strong organization, time management, and team collaboration bolster his professional portfolio. Ryan's experience spans leadership roles from Supervisor to General Manager, with notable contributions in Tier 1 Aerospace sectors, partnering with industry leaders like Boeing and Raytheon. He's adept at quality assurance, aligning with AS/ISO 9001 standards, lean methodology, financial management, including P&L oversight, and human resource strategies that prioritize employee retention. Ryan's comprehensive skill set positions him as an invaluable asset to growth-focused organizations.

      Was this helpful?

      Great! Tell us more about your experience

      Not Up to Par? Help Us Fix It!

      Keep Reading

      Thank You for Your Feedback!

      Your Voice, Our Progress. Your feedback matters a lot to us.