PROJECT PLANNING
Before you build: define the problem worth solving.
A practical brief is about decisions, workflows and constraints before it is about features.
By UNISOFTING · An original engineering note
Start with a concrete workflow
Describe what happens today: who performs the task, where the information comes from, and what makes the work difficult. A statement such as “orders are copied from email into two spreadsheets” is more useful than “we need a dashboard.” It gives a developer something observable to investigate.
Separate outcomes from features
An outcome might be consistent order status or fewer manual handovers. A feature is one possible way to get there. Keep both in your brief, but distinguish them so simpler alternatives remain possible. Describe how you will judge whether the first release is useful.
List constraints early
Record the systems that must remain, sensitive information involved, decision makers, budget range and important dates. Unknowns are normal. Mark them explicitly rather than turning assumptions into commitments.
Choose a small first release
Select one complete workflow that can be delivered and evaluated. Include the unglamorous parts: access permissions, imports, error handling, documentation and support. A smaller coherent release is easier to verify than many disconnected features.
Every project has its own constraints. Discuss yours with UNISOFTING.