Working to a Brief

Week 2 – 11.05.2011What Is A Brief

3 & 5

• You have a 3 and a 5 litre water container• Unlimited supply of water• Each container has no markings.• You must get precisely 4 litres of water in a container• How is this done?

3 & 5

Working to a Brief

What did we do last week?

Working to a Brief

• Recap from last week

– Analysed a number of briefs• Fire Extinguisher Brief• “They’re Here” Game Brief

– Created responses to these briefs• Drawn / Written

– Highlighted key areas to look out for• Budget• Deadlines• Requirements

Working to a Brief

• Number of different types of brief available– Despite the different types available, they are all still briefs!

• Structure of Briefs– Contractual– Negotiated– Formal– Informal– Commission– Tendered– Competition

Brief Structure

• Formal Briefs– Written Documents

• Typed• Documented via phone / supporting emails

– Technical and Specific Language– Focused / Attentive

• Detail / Budget / Deadlines

– Majority of briefs are written with this style– Aimed at an Industry sector – not usually individuals

Brief Structure

• Informal– Can be as straight forward as a chat over a drink– No formal documentation supporting– No direct contractual agreement

• Could be drawn up at a later date however!

– No specific requirements outlined initially– Generalised

• Could be fleshed out / elaborated at a later date

Brief Structure

• Tendered– A Brief delivered to meet a specific demand or requirement– Normally of Government or Business oriented– Potential contractors bid for the contract

• If say 50 people apply to do the same thing the Govt/business would give out the tendered brief

– Issued to meet demand– Once issued is outlined in a formal standard

Brief Structure

• Contractual– Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA’s)

• Financial Implications Attached• Legal implications

– Pricing– Schedule / Deadlines– Agreements

• Legal ownership

Brief Structure

• Commissioned – Specific variables given

• National Lottery may commission a school to develop another building with x amount of funding

– Public Procurement– Formal in structure– Outline given to complete the task– Minimalistic guidance given

• Related to subject area• i.e. creating a game aimed at 3-7 year olds on Healthy Eating

Brief Structure

• Common factors– Requirements

• What’s the point of a brief if you don't know what you are doing?

– Negotiation• Not all briefs however!• Some will be extremely strict and rigid on what is being asked for!

– Deadline• Get it done!

Are you ready?

• Assessment– First Assignment– Written Documentation with supporting briefs (at least two are

supplied for you!)– Allows you to achieve P1, M1 & D1

– Final Assignment allows you to achieve P2-4, M2-4 & D2-4

Negotiate!

• Negotiations are key– Consultation with your client

• Do you have issues with what is being asked?• Do you need clarification on a requirement?

– Discretion• Can you change minor details with the clients permission?• Is the budget open for discussion?

– Constraints• Localisation• Copyright• Ethical• Regulatory

Negotiate!

• Amendments– Budget

• Due to project demand or requirement has it gone up or down• Unplanned circumstances & requirements• Unforeseen development issues

– Conditions• Do you need to add new components?• Have regulations changed?• Has a governing body suggested improvement or changes?

– Project• Duration• Workload• Fees

Opportunity Knocks!

• Self-Development – Could you learn new skills while developing the solution?– Is there opportunity to be paid to develop your skills through specific

training?– Can you branch out with your ideas and create a multitude of

products?

Opportunity Knocks!

• Contributions & Suggestions– Can you see that improvements could be made to the initial brief– Have you approached the client to improve the final solution

• Does this affect your salary?• Does this affect the budget of the solution?• Does this affect the deadline of the solution?

– Will the brief be recalculated and re-drafted?

Overview

• What have you learnt in the session?