PROJECT BRIEF

Project Title: {Insert name here}

Drafted by: Accepted by:

{Insert name here} {Insert name here}
Date: Final Version:
Version: [Use a full integer e.g. 1.00}

PROJECT ORGANISATION

Project Team comprises:

Project Sponsor: {Insert name here}

Project Control Group: {Insert name here}

Project Manager/Leader: {Insert name here}

Team Members: {Insert names here}

Dont just look in your own department or division

Challenge Members: {Insert names here}

Due diligence those who will help review and
challenge elements of your project to improve its
outputs?} Dont just look inside the organisation

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

1. PROJECT INTRODUCTION

Project Background: The history and background that set the scene and support the need for your project

Project Objectives: Provide a list of the main objectives of the project.

Project Outcomes: What will this project provide the organisation?

Success Criteria: Is the project measurable?

How will the projects success be measured?

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

2. PROJECT DEFINITION

ITEM ELEMENTS
Methodology: Provide the methods and standards to be used.
Scope: Define the scope and the boundaries/limitations of the project.
Define the intended impact of the project and where it will impact.

Deliverables: What will the proposed project produce or deliver?

Dependencies and Associated Provide any links this project has to other projects, initiatives or services
Initiatives:

Constraints: What are the major project constraints and considerations to be taken into account? For example:

Financial
Resources
Technical
Time
Other:

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

3. PROJECT PLANS

3.1 Project Overview

[A Gantt chart may be used here as well]

Major Phases: Milestones Tasks Responsibility Timeframe Costs

Notes:

Time frame: Outline dates and phases of project. Ensure that the reader receives sufficient information to understand the various
components of your project (i.e. start and finish is not necessarily enough)
Costs (Budget/Project): Consider the following:
What will your project cost Council (including in-kind investments)?
What are your in-kind costs of staff working on your project? (Determine as best as possible the time spent on a project by your key
project team members.)
At what stages of the life of your project will your project incur costs?
What are the costs of all phases of your project (e.g. materials, design, planning, construction, consultants, contractors, launches,
administration, consultation)
Does your project have a payback period to Council? If so, please outline.

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

3.2 Project Budget Breakdown (Example)

Budget Item $ (000s) Explanatory Notes

In-kind staff involvement

Consultation
Planning
Design
Materials
Consultants/contractors
Communication
PR/Marketing (e.g. launches, literature)
Administration
Total (including in-kind)

3.3 Communication Plan

[A Communication Spreadsheet may be utilised]

ITEM ELEMENTS
Strategies How will you manage target audience/stakeholder expectations?

Methodologies What range of communication methods will you use i.e. that suit your target audience?

Delivery How will you communicate to various groups including, staff, community, Councillors and funding agency?

Personnel Who will communicate?

When will they communicate?

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

4. CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT

ITEM ELEMENTS
Needs Assessment/Analysis: Why does this project need a consultant?
Can this project be undertaken utilising only in-house skills?
Are there other ways/options to undertake project work?

Consultancy Brief: What do you want the consultant to do?

How does the intended consultants work fit into the overall project?
Will the consultant clearly understand what is expected of them?
What are the deliverables for the consultant?
What is the timeframe for the work to be completed? How does this fit into the overall project
timetable?
What outcomes do you expect the deliverables to achieve?

Evaluation and Engagement: Do you need to seek a number of submissions? Have you established an evaluation (selection) panel?
What process is in place to evaluate the tenders/submissions?
What have you documented to ensure your process is transparent?
How do you intend to communicate with prospective consultants (i.e. successful/unsuccessful
submissions)?
Has a contract been prepared and signed off?

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

5. PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT

Informed decision-making is critical to the success of any project. Crucial to this success is the identification of risks and how they will be
managed.

The following risks have been identified prior to the projects start. These risks will be reviewed as the project progresses.

Risk Log

Risk Owner Probability Consequence Actions

(Initials) (low/med/high) (L/M/H)
e.g. Failure to complete XX Low High Project plan has key milestone dates,
which are reviewed by the Project Team
each week.

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)

6. PROJECT ACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

To assist in planning your project a range of tasks, activities and milestones should be outlined that provide an indication of what elements of
your project will be delivered at certain times. This can be reflected in an MS Project Gantt Chart. However, you may find that initially an actions
table is a useful way of thinking out your project tasks and phases.
All large projects require a Gantt Chart. However, an actions table may also be completed, particularly in the case where access to MS Project
is limited in the short term.

No. Task Description or Milestone Who Start Date End Date or Milestone

End

RHCS Project Template (based on PRINCE2 Methodology)