Templates / Office & administration
Free original template · EnglishProject brief template
Turn an early conversation into a clear outline before work begins. Keep the desired outcome, deliverables and approval contact together so both sides know what the project includes.
When this template is useful
Use the brief when a conversation needs to become an agreed piece of work. Describe the outcome, deliverables, boundaries and approval contact before assigning tasks. A phrase such as update the website leaves room for different expectations; naming the pages and the approval condition makes the request easier to assess. Keep detailed contract or pricing terms in the appropriate separate agreement.
- Describe the result in a sentence that someone outside the project can understand.
- List tangible deliverables, such as three edited pages, rather than a broad promise like marketing support.
- Write exclusions early. A separate agreement is needed for prices, obligations and contract terms.
Before starting, decide who will use the record and which period or piece of work it covers. That keeps the entries focused when you return to it or share it with someone else.
What to fill in
Begin with the identifying details below. The examples show the level of detail to include; replace them with information that applies to your own task.
| Field | Example entry · fictional |
|---|---|
| Project / client | Product guide refresh / Example Co. |
| Prepared by / date | Alex Morgan / 2026-11-01 |
Outcome and scope
Use the separate writing spaces to develop each part of the record. The prompts are: Audience / intended result · Deliverables / exclusions.
Milestones and acceptance
Use one row for each entry, keeping the same date, unit and naming conventions throughout. The columns are: Deliverable / stage · Owner · Due date · Acceptance / approval · File location.
Review and approval
Use the separate writing spaces to develop each part of the record. The prompts are: Reviewer / reply due / handover method.
See a completed example
All names, activities and amounts below are fictional. The downloadable copy keeps the example separate from your blank writing pages.
Outcome and scope
Audience / intended result
Help new users understand how to use the service.
Deliverables / exclusions
Three help pages / photography and advertising excluded
Milestones and acceptance
| Deliverable / stage | Owner | Due date | Acceptance / approval | File location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Help page outline | Alex Morgan | 2026-11-05 | Client confirms topics and scope | Team folder / Outline |
| Three final help pages | Jamie Lee | 2026-11-12 | Copy and links reviewed by client | Team folder / Final |
Review and approval
Reviewer / reply due / handover method
Photography and additional pages are outside the current scope. Client materials are needed by 3 Nov. Agree on scope and timing before starting additional work.
Choose the right download
| Format | Best for | Before sharing |
|---|---|---|
| Printing on US Letter and writing by hand. This is a printable document, not an interactive PDF form. | Print the blank form and any needed continuation; leave out the example and guide. | |
| Excel XLSX | Typing into a spreadsheet. Blank, continuation and example sheets are separate. | Check the print preview and any supplied formula ranges before sharing. |
| Editable HTML | Typing into the downloaded file in a modern browser; no account required. | Use Save edited copy before closing. Print / Save PDF uses your browser's print dialog. |
HTML entries are not uploaded to this site. Save the edited file somewhere you can find it, because closing or refreshing before saving can lose changes. PDF and HTML editions do not calculate totals.
Spreadsheet calculations
This spreadsheet is an editable record without built-in calculation formulas.
Where supplied, formula cells are marked separately from input cells. If you add rows or change the structure, check that the formulas still cover the records you intend to include.
Questions before you start
What if I need more space for project brief?
Use the continuation included with the download. Add the main document reference and sheet number so the extra entries remain connected to the original record. Keep the same date and unit conventions.
Should I include the filled example when sharing?
No. Share your completed blank form and the continuation pages you actually used. Keep the fictional example and guidance for your own reference.
Is this an official or jurisdiction-specific form?
This is a general-purpose organizer. If an employer, authority or receiving organization specifies a form, use its current requirements. This download does not establish legal, tax or professional compliance.