Client Brief

What it does

• Most rework starts with a question nobody asked at kickoff.
• The brief fixes audience, decision owner and success test.
• Nine questions, answered in writing before the quote.

How to use it

1. Ask who decides, not who is involved.
2. Write the success test as something that can be checked.
3. Ask what has already been tried and rejected.
4. Send the brief back in the client words, not yours.

Safety notes

• A brief answered verbally will be contradicted at review.
• Do not quote a project whose decision owner is unnamed.