What is a product brief?
Definition of a Product Brief
A product brief (also known as a product spec) is a brief document that outlines all of the objectives, goals, and specifications that must be satisfied for a product to be developed and launched.
The product brief serves as a single source of information for all departments involved in a project, from user experience design to software development, marketing, and sales. The document should ideally result from a joint effort among all stakeholders involved to guarantee that all aspects of product development have been effectively sketched out.
What is The Significance of a Product Brief?
Creating a product brief provides essential context for the build and aids in bringing the work of all departments involved in the product development process together. Product teams will benefit from this because it will help them collaborate and stay on track. A well-written product brief removes assumptions and misinterpretations while giving the development team clear strategic direction.
A product brief is also essential because it encourages a productive environment where product teams may collaborate and develop fresh product ideas. Consider this scenario: you’re working on a new platform to connect event organizers with sponsors. A product brief can help engineers and marketing teams start a conversation regarding the market relevance of specific features, which you can subsequently develop upon. As a result, the end product is guaranteed to be high quality and inventive, two essential features of all successful user-centric products.
What Information Should You Include in a Product Brief?
A product brief must address several key concerns that affect all product development organizations to achieve its goal. The document must begin with a brief description of the product (the “what”), followed by a discussion of the motivations for developing the product (the “why”). Because successful products respond to genuine consumer needs, the brief must clearly explain the problem that the development seeks to solve and provide more information on how it intends to do so.
In addition to assessing the competitors, a market study (including SWOT forecasts, use cases, and metrics) is also required. The rationale for this is straightforward: the more real-world data your team has, the more effective their solutions will be in the long run. The following is a list of some essential information that you should include in the brief:
- Name of the product and the expected release date
- The target audience of the product
- Description of the product
- The value proposition to the customer
- Customer needs the product is targeting to fulfill
- Benefits and features of the product
- Expected pricing of the product
- Impact on the customer
- Launch strategy description and timeline of key deliverables
- Sales and after-sales customer service
Tips for Writing a Good Product Brief
Writing a good product brief can be tricky, as it involves a lot of stakeholders. To make the process a bit structured, here are a few pointers to keep in mind whenever trying to write a product brief:
● Ascertain that everyone is on the same page at the outset: A product team must collaborate to bring a product through the development phase.
● Determine the course of action: Keep in mind that you’re in charge of explaining why your product team is embarking on this trip and where it’s going.
● Keep it brief: Using simple language can help you extract the essential aspects of your product brief while also increasing the likelihood that it will be read and comprehended.
● Use concise, precise language to keep everyone on the same page because it assures that everyone understands what you’re saying.
● Images should be used: Flow diagrams or wireframes that are easy to understand help express vital information quickly.
● Solicit input from your team to see if you’re missing any crucial elements or overlooking something obvious. Then, be adaptable and willing to change.
