Brief Your Agency Properly Checklist

A non-technical guide to writing a project brief that gets results, avoids hidden costs, and turns suppliers into partners.

Before You Start...

A brief isn't a contract! It's a conversation starter...

If your document feels unfinished or if you are worried about "Frank from IT's" legacy code, don't panic.

The best projects often start with a Discovery Phase where we help you unpick the requirements, run audits, and build prototypes before a single line of production code is written.

At Make Do, we act as an extension of your team to ensure your project doesn't just look modern, but actually works for your business.

Now, grab the checklist and
get to work!‌

Page 1: The Foundation

The Business "Why": Clearly state the primary business problem this project is solving rather than just listing features.

Success Metrics: Define what "good" looks like—whether it is reducing support tickets, increasing conversion, or automating a manual process.
Target Audience Profile: Describe who will use the system and what their specific pain points are.
Current Limitations: List what is wrong with your current system (e.g., it is slow, "decrepit," or technically un-updatable).
Budget Transparency: Provide a realistic budget range to allow the agency to suggest the most effective solution for your resources.
Timeline & Hard Deadlines: Identify any immovable dates, such as a product launch or a legacy system "End of Life" date.

Page 2: Technical Scope

Integration Requirements: List any third-party systems, ERPs, or CRMs that the new site must talk to.
Content Migration Strategy: Decide if you are moving all legacy data (like 20,000 pieces of content) or starting with a clean slate.
Internal Resources: Identify who on your team will be the "co-pilot" AKA the primary point of contact for feedback and decision-making.
Platform Specifics: State if you have a preferred platform or if you are open to honest advice on whether to use a custom build vs. off-the-shelf tools.
Compliance & Security: Detail any specific industry regulations, accessibility standards, or SLA requirements for 24/7 support.
The "Red Flag" Check: Ensure you aren't saying "we'll figure it out as we go" but if you are, mark those areas for a Discovery Phase.

Let's Build It Together

If your brief is still just a rough idea on the back of a napkin, we can help. Book a chat with our team today.

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