Project Management Guide

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Project Brief
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Project Brief

The Project Brief is generally the first document in a project.

It is produced when the project is initiated by the Project Sponsor following a Project Proposal stage. It should establish for the project manager:- What the project is to achieve, by when, and within what resources.

Typical Contents are:

  • Introduction and background
  • Mission
  • Key Objectives
  • Broad indication of timescales and milestones
  • Broad indication of resources needed and available, particularly budgets
  • Skeleton outline of project organisation and desired project reporting
  • Key risks

A typical format is given below.

Project Brief

1. Title of project

2. Introduction/Background

A description of the background to the project including how the project came about, what the project is about, why we are undertaking the project, and what in very broad terms the outcome of the project will be to the organisation.

3. Mission Statement

A brief (5 to 10 line) overall definition and description of the project and its aims including some reference to likely timescales, budget and resources, and what the project will aim to deliver.

4. Key Objectives

A listing of the main stakeholders of the project with a statement for each of what the project will aim to deliver to them.

5. Project Organisation - Outline description

A description of the overall project organisation, in particular the names of the individuals or groups who should be the project sponsor, and the individual who will be the project manager

6. Project Planning - Resources Likely to be Committed

The resources, money and peoples time, which we will need to invest to carry out this project.

7. Benefits & Costs Analysis in Outline

A brief statement of the main benefits to be gained from undertaking this project and the main costs which will be incurred and which need to be controlled and contained.

8. Risk Assessment in Outline

The mains risks - implementation issues which may delay the project. The priority ones identified through a Hi-lo analysis, with suggestions as to how they could be averted.

9. Costs

A broad estimate of overall costs to be incurred and the required budget.

10. Timetable

A broad estimate of timings, in particular completion date and any other key milestones.