Most software disappointments start with a brief that said too little. A single page that answers a few questions clearly saves weeks of rework.
Start with the problem
Describe what is wrong today and who it affects, in plain words. Avoid describing screens until the problem is clear.
Cover the essentials
A useful brief answers these points.
- Who will use it, and how often
- What a successful result looks like
- What it must connect to
- What is out of scope for now
- The deadline and why it matters
Share examples
Show systems you like and dislike, paper forms you use today and a sample of real data. Real material removes guesswork and speeds up the quote.