{"id":14227,"date":"2025-09-04T10:11:53","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T10:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/?p=14227"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T10:27:19","slug":"project-brief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/project-brief\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Project Brief: Definition + Steps + Template"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine this \u2014 you\u2019re launching a project. You wrote an extensive project plan, shared it with your team, and covered everything in it. And we mean everything.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No room for error, right? But then, not a day passes, and you get swarmed with questions \u2014 fairly simple ones, at that. All the answers are in the plan, but your team can\u2019t seem to find them easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why the project brief exists \u2014 to give all the stakeholders easy access to key project information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you write one? Let\u2019s take a look at what a project brief is, how to write it, and even offer a template you can use.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Project<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is a project brief?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A project brief is a concise document that shows the most important information about your project. <\/strong>You use it to give key project stakeholders<\/a> an insight into the project goals and responsibilities, without bogging them down with too much detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with most other project documents, you want to complete the brief before your project kicks off. Still, you should create the project brief last \u2014 only after the project\u2019s been approved, and right before it begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \n Implement your project with Plaky <\/span>\n

Make sure your project flows as your brief intended \u2014 track progress, assign tasks clearly, and lead your team to success with Plaky by CAKE.com!<\/p>\n

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Project brief vs. project charter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The main difference between the project brief and project charter is that the <\/strong>project charter<\/strong><\/a> is used to approve the project, while the brief is written after the project\u2019s been approved.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Project brief<\/strong><\/th>Project charter<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
When is it written?<\/strong><\/td>After the project\u2019s been approved and before the start of the project.<\/td>Before the project\u2019s been approved.<\/td><\/tr>
Why is it written?<\/strong><\/td>To give your team and stakeholders an overview of the key project information.<\/td>To be presented to key stakeholders or clients so you can agree on a project scope<\/a> and get the project approved.<\/td><\/tr>
How detailed is it?<\/strong><\/td>Little to no detail \u2014 as direct and concise as possible.<\/td>Mild detail \u2014 detailed enough to be reviewed and approved, but without the nitty-gritty.<\/td><\/tr>
Who is it written for?<\/strong><\/td>For your team and stakeholders.<\/td>For key stakeholders.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Project brief vs. project plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The key difference between the project brief and the <\/strong>project plan<\/strong><\/a> is in the level of detail<\/strong> \u2014 while the brief is \u2014 well \u2014 brief, the project plan is highly detailed, and contains all information on the project.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Project brief<\/strong><\/th>Project plan<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
When is it written?<\/strong><\/td>After the project plan has been outlined.<\/td>After the project charter, in the planning phase of the project life cycle.<\/td><\/tr>
Why is it written?<\/strong><\/td>To give your team and stakeholders an overview of the key project information.<\/td>To give your team and stakeholders access to all project information, from the most to least important.<\/td><\/tr>
How detailed is it?<\/strong><\/td>Little to no detail \u2014 as direct and concise as possible.<\/td>High detail \u2014 a compilation of all project information.<\/td><\/tr>
Who is it written for?<\/strong><\/td>For your team and stakeholders.<\/td>For your team and stakeholders.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Share your project documents in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is a project brief important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The project brief is a crucial document \u2014 after all, without it, your team and stakeholders would have to sift through the project plan over and over again just to find the same 3 pieces of information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key benefits of writing a project brief are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n