Describe the decision in one sentence
“Review these findings so management can plan follow-up” is more usable than “we need safety compliance”. State whether the organisation needs an appointment, evaluation, inspection, audit or close-out discussion. Use the current consulting catalogue and avoid assuming that a historical service title remains offered.
Illustrative brief: occupied refurbishment
A client needs health and safety input while refurbishment is planned in an occupied building. The brief identifies the project stage, work areas, continuing operations, current drawings, expected decision date and the people responsible for design and operations. It asks the provider to propose its scope without implying that the adviser will design the works.
Show what is known and what is missing
List existing records with their version and owner. Identify uncertain dates, unavailable drawings and procurement constraints. A clear list of gaps helps scope clarification; filling gaps with guessed information can misdirect the quotation and later work.
Ask for an explicit response
Request the proposed scope, deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, access requirements, programme and commercial terms. Identify the person authorised to confirm changes. When several providers respond, compare those components before comparing totals.
Put the decision into practice
- 1State the decision and current project stage.
- 2List locations, activities and affected interfaces.
- 3Index current evidence and gaps.
- 4Identify the required output and deadline.
- 5Ask the provider to confirm assumptions and exclusions.