The brief is a statement that specifies the scope of the project. It defines the objectives to be achieved and lays out in a general way what the final product will accomplish. The brief can be prepared by the owner as a means of clarifying the need for the project, even before the project manager or design professional are engaged; if used in this way, it will be the basis upon which those prospective consultants prepare their proposals. On the other hand, it can also be prepared with the help of the project manager or design professional after they are engaged. These consultants, with experience on similar projects, can assist the owner in identifying and clarifying needs and setting forth the projects scope. A well-prepared brief, consisting of only a few pages, is essential in forming the basis for all that follows throughout the project life cycle. The development of the programme will logically follow from this initial defining statement.
