Why project briefs and project brief templates, you ask? Well, consider this, for example: There’s nothing worse than shopping for dinner only to find that there’s still nothing good to snack on. You have bread but no butter and salad dressing but no vegetables. That’s what shopping without a list will get you – everything except what you need.
A project brief can be like a shopping list for projects. Regardless of the industry, a project brief can help to outline the different goals and deliverables required to complete tasks. Like shopping without a list, carrying out a project without a thorough brief is likely to miss the mark. On the other hand, efficient project briefs are essential to planning and managing projects. But before we dive into 3 project brief templates your projects need – here’s a quick breakdown of how they can help your next project.
What is a project brief?
A detailed project brief is a short description of critical project elements that are like the Einstein of documents. Firstly, it outlines the Five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) needed to get the crucial points across. Secondly, the project lead or manager is the one who puts the brief together, which will vary in size and detail depending on the project’s dynamics and complexity.
Thirdly, the primary focus is on strategy and design, so the project must include vital information, the project plan, the company message, and customer demographics. However, no two project briefs are the same, so one template doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all box. When planning your brief, remember that it must match your project’s scope and complexity. That could be just a short paragraph or a whole page!
Why do you need project brief templates?
Imagine you just got a fancy new coffee machine; you’re excited and desperate for a cup of hot coffee. But you won’t get it anytime soon without a manual on which button to press first. Consequently, a project brief is essential because it clarifies a project’s expectations and speeds up working styles. What’s more, it also details the dos and don’ts so the person who receives the brief knows their exact role in the project, which avoids unnecessary miscommunication.
A project is hardly ever completed by just one person. It’s typically a team of people; sometimes, specific tasks must be outsourced to freelancers. Therefore, your brief can also work as an agreement. Why? Because the information confirms the project scope, goals, and red flag areas.
A fundamental aspect is that it keeps everyone on the same page, eliminating the risk of mishandling or incomplete tasks. In addition, it also helps improve time management because projects typically work with deadlines. And poor time management will mean extending the deadline, which takes time from other projects and can affect budgets, delivery promises, and expectations.
In addition, just as one instruction manual doesn’t suit all appliances, one template is not enough to suit all your project needs. So it’s important to be diverse when creating templates that suit your project guidelines.
Impact on Creativity
Project brief templates promote creativity. When people understand the brief, they can better understand the creative parameters. They know which boundaries to push and how to be creative without extending the limit of the project. Being excited and engaging interest are vital aspects of all projects, but there are cases when too much of a good thing is definitely a bad thing.
3 project brief templates for your next project:
1. Voice over artist
Date:
Project Lead:
- Contact
- name of the person responsible for the project.
Company:
- name
- description
- products/services
- public image
- project message
Company information gives the person a background understanding of the company, so they know how to interpret the project details with the company’s image.
Target audience:
The artist needs to know the audience to determine the
- tone
- age
- gender
- country
- cultural values
- lifestyle
Usage:
- The usage terms determine the fees payable to the artist as it depends on where the project is broadcast.
Goals and Objectives:
- Project objective?
- What should the audience think/feel?
Message and outcome:
- Primary message of the project?
- Secondary statements?
- Problem the message solves?
- What are the benefits to highlight?
- Why should the target audience believe the message?
- What is the call to action?
- What tones should be avoided?
Deadline:
- A deadline is important because it determines when you expect to receive the project.
- You can also stipulate if an extension is negotiable.
Budget:
- Firstly, how much will the voice actor receive?
- Secondly, what is the payment method?
- Thirdly, what is the payment date?
2. Designer
Date:
Point person:
- Name
- Contact details
- Method of contact
- Company represented
Company:
- name
- description
- products/services offered
- Project message
- Previous design examples
Designers don’t deal with the target audience but need to know how the audience views the company. What company’s reputation is, and how does the design represents the company in the eyes of the audience?
Target audience
Inform the designer of
- age
- gender
- country
- cultural values
- message
- do’s and don’ts
- if there is anything viewed negatively by the audience
Goals and Objectives
- Objective?
- Expected outcome?
- What should the audience think/feel?
- What colors and designs are needed?
- Is it a logo/landing page/web design
- Is it for a new project or an existing project?
- Are there current images to use?
- Are new ideas/images required?
- Will images need to be designed?
- Which are the features to retain?
- What are the features to remove?
Message and Outcome Execution
- What is the primary/secondary message of the project?
- What should the target audience take away from the message?
- Is there a call to action?
Deadline
- A deadline is important because it determines when you expect to receive the project.
- You can also stipulate if an extension is negotiable.
Budget
- Firstly, how much will the designer receive?
- Secondly, what is the payment method?
- Thirdly, what is the payment date?
3. Actor
Date:
Project person:
- Name
- Contact details
- Method of contact
- Production company represented
Company/studio:
- name
- description
- Past projects
- Project message
Actors are a direct representation of the project, so their fact is what the target audience will see and associate with the studio name.
Target audience
Inform the actor of
- age
- gender
- country
- cultural values
- message
- do’s and don’ts
- if there is anything viewed negatively by the audience
- Are there any gestures/facial expressions/body language to avoid
Goals and Objectives
- What should the audience think/feel?
- What emotions are needed?
- Determine pitch/pace/intonation/infection
Message and Outcome Execution
- The primary message of the project?
- Is there any moral value?
- What is the end/eventual action?
Usage:
- The usage terms are vital to include in advance, this determines broadcast usage and union agreements
Deadline
- A deadline is important because it determines when you expect to receive the project.
- You can also stipulate if an extension is negotiable.
Budget
- Firstly, how much will the actor receive?
- Secondly, what is the payment method?
- Thirdly, what is the payment date?
Final thoughts on project brief templates
In conclusion, a good project brief stems from a good project brief template, which isn’t always easy to create. But it is essential to a good project outcome. When planning your next template, think about the five Ws, the people involved, the scope, the timeframe, and lastly the budget.
There’s no worse feeling than disappointment, so having a well-organized brief cuts right down to the critical details of a project. Whether you need a designer, voice actor, or actor, a good-quality project brief will keep the project uniform and deliver the best result. Voice123 is not only a voice authority; we’re also a convenient freelancing option!
So once your project is good to go, head on over to find the best voice actor for your project brief. Search for voices or post a project for free; the platform is your oyster!