Define
A project brief is the client's most important tool for managing the design and development process, and for helping to find partners to help deliver the vision. To define what it contains, you need to look in more detail at priorities and what needs to be achieved, and you may well have to do some urban design and planning work to get there.

Preparing a project brief
A clear, succinct and coherent project brief is the client’s main tool for managing both the output of the process and the people who are leading and undertaking the work.
Understanding the place
Before you start planning the change for your area, you need to look at how it works now, how it came to be that way, and how this understanding can be applied to shaping its future.
Maintaining a focus on quality
As you set out the process, don’t lose sight of your aspirations for quality once the practical demands of the project take over.
Preparing a strategic framework
Use your understanding of the place to prepare a plan that sets out what is important now and what are the most significant interventions to make in the future: this allows you to generate and test different options for how your vision could be met.
Planning how to deliver the project
Having a long-term strategy for delivery helps you to plan what you need to do and who is going to help you do it.
Selecting partners
Set up a selection process that allows potential partners to show how they could meet your aspirations for the project, especially for design quality.
Downloads for this section
- Define stage (PDF, 244kb)
- Examples of the define stage (PDF, 671kb)
- Whole client guide (PDF, 2.5mb)
