Architecture Design Brief Template

What is an architecture design brief template?

An architecture design brief template is a structured document used to capture all key project requirements before design work begins. It defines goals, site context, scope of work, constraints, and expectations, acting as a practical guide and a formal agreement between client and architect. In Bonsai, this template becomes a reusable framework you can adapt for different projects, helping teams stay aligned from kickoff to completion.

Definition and purpose of an architecture design brief

An architecture design brief, also called an architectural brief, is a living, working document that outlines the client’s needs, project objectives, site context, scope of work, constraints, and expectations. It captures both functional requirements and aspirational outcomes, such as daylight targets, accessibility goals, and budget benchmarks.

It's not a finished statement. Instead, it guides the design process and supports decision-making by clearly recording goals, performance criteria, and site constraints. This clarity helps reduce back-and-forth during early concept work and keeps the team focused on the project’s core aims.

Because it stays flexible, the brief can evolve as ideas develop, and it acts as the single reference point for designers, engineers, and clients throughout the life of the project. It can be revisited at milestones like feasibility, concept design, and permit reviews to reflect new insights without losing the original intent.

How a template supports the design process

A well-crafted architecture design brief template standardizes the information you collect at project start, setting clear expectations for what should be documented and helping you capture both constraints and opportunities in a consistent way.

It covers goals, site analysis, program, budget, schedule, and constraints in a consistent order. This reduces gaps, avoids assumptions, and helps the client, architect, and stakeholders stay aligned from kickoff to decision points. You can also include notes on materials, sustainability targets, and regulatory requirements for quick reference.

As the project evolves, the template remains a living document you refine. In Bonsai, you can save it as a reusable workflow that teams copy, customize, and track changes for each new project. The template also supports version control, client sign-offs, and easy handoffs between design phases.

Key roles who use an architecture design brief

Typical users include independent architects, small architecture studios, interior designers, design-build firms, and their clients.

Independent architects use the brief to quickly capture client needs and set design direction. Small architecture studios rely on it to create repeatable proposals and keep teams on track. Interior designers use it to align on space planning, finishes, and lighting. Design-build firms use the brief to blend design decisions with construction constraints.

For clients, the brief provides a clear voice in the project and a record of decisions; for project managers, it offers a baseline for scope and milestones; for consultants, it communicates interfaces and constraints. Together, these roles benefit from a shared framework that reduces back-and-forth and keeps expectations realistic.

Core components of an architecture design brief template

As of 2025, a strong architecture design brief template acts as the backbone of a successful project. It aligns client goals with design strategy, sets clear expectations, and helps teams avoid scope creep. In this section, we break down the essential components you should include and explain why each matters for project success. The guidance here is practical for residential, commercial, and renovation projects alike, and it reflects current industry practices and common competitive standards.

Executive summary and project overview

This subsection teaches you how to write a concise project summary that any reader can grasp quickly. It should name the project, identify the type of project, state the location, and outline high-level goals in a single, readable paragraph or a short, clear list.

In practice, craft a brief that introduces the project with its core identity and expected outcomes. For example, you might describe a six‑story commercial building called Riverside Office Campus, located at 400 Riverside Dr, Denver, as a project aimed at creating flexible, daylight‑rich workspace while achieving LEED Gold certification within an $18 million budget. You should also articulate the overall vision—such as how the building should feel and how users will experience it—and specify the primary success criteria, like targeted floor area, energy performance, or schedule milestones. This executive overview acts as a north star for every later design decision.

Client and stakeholder information

This section clarifies who the client is, who represents them, and who else has a say in the project. It helps prevent miscommunication by identifying key roles and contact points for decisions, information sharing, and approvals.

Include details such as the client name, primary contact, their role, and reliable contact information. Indicate decision-makers and any steering group or project committee, plus their responsibilities. For example, you might note: Client is Acme Properties; Primary contact is Jane Doe, Development Director; Decision-makers include the board and the project manager; Steering Group comprises representatives from facilities, operations, and marketing. Clear definitions like these ensure that changes are approved promptly and that the right people receive the right information at the right time.

Site information and context

This part gathers essential site facts that will influence design options. It should cover the address, site area, orientation, access points, topography, and surrounding conditions that affect form and layout.

Explain how existing structures, views, climate considerations, and planning history shape early concepts. Note any easements, utility constraints, or known site restrictions, because these factors directly influence massing, envelope treatment, daylight strategy, and circulation. For instance, a north-facing office block may prioritize high-performance glazing and shading to maintain comfort, while a steep site could drive a stepped or terraced plan. By documenting site context, you establish boundaries that guide design explorations and option testing rather than late-stage changes.

Project objectives, vision, and success criteria

Here you capture the client’s goals in functional, experiential, and strategic terms, creating a balanced brief that guides the design team. This helps ensure the project delivers measurable value beyond looks alone.

Describe functional objectives like increasing usable area or improving circulation, experiential goals such as daylight quality, acoustics, and sense of openness, and strategic aims including brand expression, rental yield, or operational efficiency. Then define what success looks like in observable terms, so you can evaluate the design as it evolves. For example, set targets such as achieving a usable floor area of 12,000 square meters, delivering a daylight factor above 2% in work zones, attaining a building energy use intensity near 90–120 kWh/m²/year depending on climate, and maintaining construction cost within the planned budget. Clear criteria help the team test options against real goals and keep stakeholders aligned through the project lifecycle.

Scope of work and deliverables

This subsection outlines what is included in the project and what will be produced at each design stage. It helps prevent scope creep and aligns expectations about outputs and responsibilities.

Describe whether the project is a new build, an extension, or a refurbishment, and indicate whether interior work, exterior work, landscape, or demolition is involved. Then list the expected deliverables at each design stage, such as concept sketches, 3D models, planning drawings, and construction documents, along with any required coordination or specialist packages. Emphasize how these deliverables will be used for approvals, pricing, and construction. By detailing scope and deliverables up front, you create a clear map from concept to completion and reduce the risk of late changes that derail time and cost targets.

Spatial requirements and adjacencies

This section turns vague wishes into concrete planning parameters by defining spaces and how they relate to one another. It guides the layout and informs the design approach early on.

Provide a schedule of spaces that lists each room or area with its approximate size, daylight or privacy needs, storage requirements, and essential technical services. Also capture desired adjacencies—which spaces should be next to each other or kept separate—to inform planning decisions. For example, you might specify that reception should be near the main entry, open-plan work zones should receive abundant daylight, and service cores should be centrally located to optimize circulation. Documenting these relationships helps the design team test layouts efficiently and reduces back-and-forth during the early design iterations.

Design criteria, aesthetics, and materials

The design brief should articulate the look and feel the client wants, without locking in a single solution. This keeps the designer free to explore while staying aligned with the brand and goals.

Describe the aesthetic brief, including style preferences, mood or atmosphere, and references from precedent projects. Include material preferences such as timber, concrete, brick, or metal, and note any preferred finishes, color palettes, and the level of finish quality expected. Importantly, phrase these as guidelines rather than prescriptions to avoid stifling creativity. For example, you might say the project should read as modern yet warm, with a timber and concrete palette, targeted at durable, low-maintenance finishes. These notes help the design team pursue a cohesive look while remaining adaptable to site and budget realities.

Constraints, regulations, and performance requirements

Documenting constraints up front prevents rework later and keeps design options practical. This section covers both compliance rules and performance targets.

List the typical constraints you must work within, such as planning and zoning rules, height limits, setbacks, heritage restrictions, site access, utilities, and any structural limitations from existing buildings. Also describe performance criteria like sustainability targets, energy performance, acoustic requirements, accessibility standards, and safety codes that apply. For example, note that the project should meet local accessibility guidelines, comply with IBC/NFPA safety codes where relevant, and aim for a minimum energy performance that aligns with the local climate and building code requirements. By collecting these constraints early, you avoid costly revisions during design development and ensure the plan remains buildable and compliant throughout the process.

Budget, cost expectations, and schedule

This subsection aligns financial and timing expectations with the design process, clarifying how scope and quality relate to cost and time.

Specify the total budget range, any per‑unit or per‑square-meter cost references that are relevant, allowances for finishes and fixtures, and contingency. For schedule, describe key dates such as planning submissions, approvals, construction start, and completion, and explain how these milestones tie to the scope and quality targets. For instance, you might set a total budget range of $15–$22 million for a 12,000 square meter office project, with a finishes allowance of 12% and a 10% contingency, and plan planning submissions for Q3 2025, construction start in Q1 2026, and completion in Q4 2027. Clear budget and schedule targets help stakeholders track progress and make informed trade‑offs when options arise.

Stakeholder requirements and operations

This final subsection aggregates operating needs and ongoing requirements from all stakeholder groups, ensuring the building will function well after handover.

Summarize the expectations of owners, end users, facility managers, neighbors, or tenants, including operational considerations like opening hours, maintenance access, security, and potential for future expansion. Explain that aligning these requirements during design reduces friction post‑occupancy and supports smoother facility management. For example, owners may require flexible space for future tenants, facility managers may need straightforward access to mechanical spaces, and neighbors may expect controlled noise and adequate parking management. By capturing these diverse needs, the brief becomes a practical tool that supports sustainable performance, user comfort, and long‑term adaptability.

How to use an architecture design brief template step by step

This section provides a practical, sequential workflow for turning a blank architecture design brief template into a project-specific document. You’ll see how to start with conversations, define parameters, and refine the brief into a working guide that stays alive throughout the project. The focus is on collaborating with clients and keeping the brief living as the project evolves. The Architecture Design Brief Template acts as a practical structure, not a rigid contract.

Step 1: To start with conversations and discovery

The first step is to start with conversations and discovery, anchoring the brief in real client needs and constraints.

Ask open-ended questions about how they live, work, or operate; what they like or dislike about the existing situation; and their long-term plans. For example, a family may want flexible living spaces, while a small business might need scalable meeting areas and quiet zones. The Architecture Design Brief Template acts as a guide to structure this discovery phase, capturing goals, constraints, and success criteria in a shared document with clear ownership and dates. Use a simple agenda for the first meeting and assign a note-taker to populate the brief so nothing is forgotten.

During this discovery, document who is in the room, what decisions are open, and how this will influence later sections of the brief. A short, collaborative notes process—using tools like Notion or Google Docs—helps keep everyone aligned and creates a reference you can revisit as the project evolves.

Step 2: To capture key project parameters

The second step is to log fundamental parameters into the Architecture Design Brief Template: project type, location, site data, budget range, schedule expectations, and regulatory context.

Be realistic about numbers and constraints, and confirm these points in writing with the client. This written confirmation ensures the brief shapes every later design decision, from initial concepts to construction planning. For example, note the site's zoning, setback limits, and permit timelines, then align the schedule with procurement milestones to avoid surprises.

Use version-controlled digital templates (Notion, Airtable, Smartsheet) so changes are tracked and visible to the entire project team. Schedule a brief written acknowledgment at the end of the discovery phase, and keep the client sign-off on budget and program as a baseline for concept design. This discipline helps keep a project on track from day one.

Step 3: To define spaces, functions, and users

The third step focuses on filling the spatial requirements section in the template to define spaces, functions, and users.

Begin by detailing who will use each space, what activities will happen there, and any special technical needs. Group spaces by function—public vs. private, front-of-house vs. back-of-house—and map adjacencies and primary circulation. This helps you test how people move through the building and where light and acoustics matter most. For example, place meeting rooms near reception but away from noisy corridors to support both privacy and flow.

Use the brief to create quick adjacency diagrams and early massing ideas. The template should guide you to capture key relationships, such as proximity between work zones and support spaces, or between residential living areas and outdoor spaces. Keeping this section up-to-date ensures the design team can adjust layouts as client needs shift, reducing rework in later phases.

Step 4: To add design preferences and reference projects

The fourth step documents the client’s aesthetic preferences in the template, including styles they like, images or precedents they respond to, and materials they favor or dislike.

Link or attach reference projects and note what exactly the client likes about them—whether it's light, volume, or facade treatment. Capture the reasons behind those likes and dislikes to guide the brief without prescribing a solution. For example, a client might love a bright, column-free interior and a warm timber facade; note these details in the template to steer early concept ideas.

Use mood boards or digital boards in tools like Notion, Google Drive, or the BIM 360 portal to collect visuals. Keep the references living in the Architecture Design Brief Template, and encourage the client to add comments. This approach ensures design directions stay aligned with taste while leaving room for the architect’s expertise to translate preferences into concrete design options.

Step 5: To outline stakeholders, decisions, and communication

The fifth step covers stakeholders, decision rights, and communication plans within the template.

List who signs off at each stage, who must be consulted, and how often updates will be shared. Provide clear roles and responsibilities, for example: the owner signs off at concept design, planning approval comes from the city, and consultants contribute as needed. Include preferred communication channels (email, Slack, or a weekly video call) and a set meeting cadence so everyone knows when to expect progress.

Use the template to document decisions, capture meeting notes, and track changes. A living document that invites ongoing input helps prevent misalignment as the project evolves. Encourage the client to review highlights before each milestone and to comment on any new constraints or opportunities so the brief stays current through design and construction.

Step 6: To review, refine, and agree the brief

The sixth step is to review, refine, and obtain formal agreement on the brief before moving into concept design.

Share the completed draft with the client, invite comments, clarify ambiguities, and update sections where expectations diverge. Scheduling a structured review session helps surface missing information and align on key goals. Use tracked changes or a dedicated comment thread so edits are transparent and auditable.

Emphasize obtaining explicit approval, such as an e-signature via DocuSign or Adobe Sign, before moving into concept design. This formal consent locks in budget, program, and critical constraints and reduces late-stage disputes. After approval, save a final version in the project folder and note the baseline date for future reference. This step creates a solid, auditable baseline for the project.

Step 7: To keep the brief as a living document

The seventh step keeps the brief as a living document, updated as new information arrives—such as planning feedback, cost changes, or evolving client needs.

Update the brief when planning feedback, cost changes, or evolving client needs arise. Record what changed, why it changed, and who approved the change, so the team understands the rationale. Use a version number and date stamp, and keep a change log in the Architecture Design Brief Template to maintain a clear audit trail.

Encourage ongoing collaboration by maintaining comments, revision histories, and a central hub where the team can review updates. When the brief stays current, it becomes a reliable reference during design reviews, value engineering, and construction, helping to avoid drift and keep the project aligned with the client’s evolving goals.

Best practices for a strong architecture design brief

A well-crafted architecture design brief keeps the project focused, realistic, and flexible enough to spark great ideas. Competitor content often warns about briefs that are too vague, jump to solutions, or ignore important constraints. This guide gives practical do’s and don’ts to help you build a brief that is specific about needs and outcomes while leaving space for creative exploration. Use a current Architecture Design Brief Template to structure these sections so your team can move from plan to build smoothly in 2025.

To balance clarity with creative freedom

Start with clear needs, performance targets, and expected outcomes, then step back from dictating exact layouts or forms.

Describe what the building must achieve, not how it must look. For example, specify that the project should support a flexible office program for 200–230 occupants, provide daylight in 75% of work zones, and maintain a maximum interior noise level of 40 dB in quiet areas. Add measurable targets like an average illuminance of 300–500 lux in primary workspaces and a daylight autonomy target of at least 50% during occupied hours. By framing goals this way, architects can explore multiple design options within a clear framework, from open-plan layouts to cellular plans, while still meeting performance and schedule needs. A good Architecture Design Brief Template guides you to separate programmatic outcomes from architectural form, ensuring creativity remains within a defined envelope.

Next, keep the brief nimble by listing constraints and performance criteria as inputs rather than prescriptions. For instance, you can state: “flexible floor plates, responsive shading, and future reconfiguration capability,” while leaving specifics like exact fenestration patterns for the design team to optimize. This approach helps teams generate fresh ideas without losing sight of goals, and it aligns with modern BIM workflows in 2025 when teams collaborate in real time using tools like Revit, ArchiCAD, or Bentley alongside cloud platforms such as Autodesk Construction Cloud or Procore.

To avoid vague or incomplete requirements

Begin with concrete statements rather than broad adjectives. This makes it easier to test ideas and compare options later in the project.

Replace vague phrases like “modern look” or “lots of light” with precise descriptions. For example, instead of “modern look,” say “minimalist aesthetic with matte white walls, warm timber accents, and low-contrast furniture; ensure consistency across interior and exterior surfaces.” Instead of “lots of light,” specify daylight metrics: “at least 50% of workspaces receive daylight for at least 4 hours on a typical workday; glazing ratios of 30–40% on primary façades; glare control with UGR below 19.” Also describe functional requirements such as “a lunch area for 40 people with easy service access,” or “a robotics lab with 3 m high ceiling clearance and dust control.” Before sign-off, run a quick gap check by asking: does each section of the brief document a clear need, a measurable target, and a check to ensure feasibility with the site and budget? This gap-check habit is a key part of the Architecture Design Brief Template for 2025 projects, ensuring no area is left underdefined.

In addition, perform a simple cross-check: do the program, site constraints, budget, and schedule each have explicit statements? If any area feels implied rather than stated, rewrite it as a concrete requirement. The goal is to prevent back-and-forth later caused by assumptions and to keep the brief aligned with the reality of procurement timelines and construction methods—something modern briefs emphasize in practice with BIM-enabled teams.

To acknowledge constraints early

Honesty about budget, planning rules, and site limits at the briefing stage saves time and money later.

List known constraints up front and treat risks as a living element of the brief. For example, include a budget range (even a rough bracket), maximum footprint, height restrictions, and zoning conditions. Note known risks such as ground conditions, drainage issues, and potential neighbor objections. Documenting these at the start helps the design team test options against real limits rather than discovering them mid-design. In 2025, many teams formalize constraints into a section called “Constraints and Known Risks,” then attach a simple risk register that tracks probability, impact, and owner. This makes the brief a practical tool, not just a wish list, and it aligns with integrated design processes used on large BIM projects today.

Encourage adding unknowns as well, with a plan for how they will be managed. For instance, you might write: “Unknowns include exact soil bearing capacity and potential nearby construction activity.” Assign ownership for early investigations and set milestones to update the brief as information becomes available. Keeping constraints current helps avoid renegotiations during design development and reduces costly changes during construction.

To keep stakeholders visible throughout

It’s easy to overlook some groups when writing the brief, which can lead to design decisions that don’t fit real needs.

Build and routinely revisit a stakeholder map that includes facility managers, neighbors, end users, safety officers, and maintenance teams. Ask how decisions will affect each group and note the answers directly in the brief. For example, consider end users’ daily tasks, neighbor privacy and noise impact, and facility managers’ needs for long-term maintenance access. A practical approach is to run a short stakeholder workshop at key milestones and update roles and responsibilities in a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) within the brief. Keeping these groups visible ensures the design is more robust and widely accepted, and it mirrors current collaborative practices used in 2025 with digital coordination tools like Autodesk Build or Procore.

As you revise, verify that the brief covers the needs of each group with clear acceptance criteria. For instance, “the operations team requires a maintenance-friendly roof access path” or “neighbors expect a quieter façade treatment during construction.” Documenting stakeholder input and approvals in the brief helps prevent last-minute changes and fosters smoother sign-offs across all parties involved in the project lifecycle.

To treat the brief as a working document

The architecture design brief should evolve as the project grows—from concept through construction and into operation.

Adopt a version-controlled process so every change is traceable. Start with Brief v1.0 at the early concept stage, then update to v1.1 after schematic design, and move to v2.0 during design development, always recording what was agreed at each stage. Use a cloud-based document system that supports comments, approvals, and a change log, so everyone can see revisions in real time. This practice keeps your brief aligned with the evolving design and with construction planning, and it supports later operating needs when building systems are handed over to facilities teams. In 2025, many firms pair this approach with a dedicated Architecture Design Brief Template that links to the project schedule, budget forecasts, and BIM execution plan for a seamless handoff.

Finally, ensure the brief remains a living guide by scheduling periodic reviews, aligning revisions with major milestones, and linking decisions to the project’s outcomes. When the brief is treated as a working document, it becomes a trusted source for designers, builders, and operators alike, guiding the project from initial idea to a successful, well-run building.

How to customize an architecture design brief template

Adapting a standard architecture design brief template lets you reuse a solid core while answering the specific needs of each project, client, and scale. In 2025, clients expect clear program, sustainability goals, timelines, and decision roles, but you can tailor details without rewriting the entire document. This section shows practical ways to customize the template for different contexts.

To adapt the template for different project types

Different project types place different emphasis on program, performance, and approvals.

Residential projects prioritize living comfort, daylight, acoustics, and flexible layouts. In the brief, describe how spaces will be used across different times of day, what views matter, and how furniture can reconfigure rooms. For example, an open-plan kitchen that can also serve as a dining area and a study nook near the entry helps the designer propose a layout that supports daily life.

Commercial projects emphasize operations, occupancy costs, and facility management. The brief should spell out anticipated hours of operation, maintenance expectations, energy use targets, and how spaces will be reconfigured as the business grows. Include performance criteria for lighting, acoustics, and indoor air quality, and note any chosen certification paths like LEED BD+C or WELL.

Institutional and interior projects require distinctive priorities. Institutional briefs highlight life safety, accessibility, and regulatory compliance, while interior architecture focuses on finishes, material palettes, and user experience. When needed, you can add a short "Project Type Addendum" section to capture type-specific items without changing the core structure.

To expand or reduce scope details

Scope details should match project size, complexity, and budget.

For small projects, simplify the core sections by keeping a concise program, a tight site and constraint summary, and a short list of deliverables. Trim long coordination sections and avoid duplicating information across documents. The goal is to preserve essentials like program, site constraints, budget, and schedule while minimizing optional detail that won’t influence design decisions.

For complex projects, add granularity to the scope of work, deliverables, and phasing. Create a phased delivery plan that aligns with approvals and permitting milestones, and include a clear set of deliverables for each phase. Include coordination responsibilities with consultants, fabrication considerations, and a design development checklist. Remember to avoid repeating content found in separate contracts or specifications by cross-referencing documents instead of duplicating them inside the brief.

In all cases, keep the core structure intact—program, site, budget, schedule, and deliverables—so the brief remains a usable guide across iterations and teams.

To integrate sustainability and performance goals

Make sustainability measurable and tied to client priorities from the start.

Describe specific energy targets, certification goals, and material sourcing criteria. For example, set an energy use intensity target and specify whether LEED, WELL, or another framework will guide the project. Include a plan to monitor progress during design and construction, such as quarterly reviews of energy strategy and daylighting performance, and require responsible parties to document key decisions related to sustainability.

Also include lifecycle considerations and embodied carbon where appropriate. Recommend using Life Cycle Cost analyses for major elements and establishing material criteria such as recycled content, regionally sourced materials, and low-VOC finishes. Tailor performance metrics to the client’s priorities and regulatory context, whether you’re in North America, Europe, or Asia, so the brief remains actionable and enforceable.

Finally, align sustainability goals with regulatory requirements and incentives now common in 2025, such as available tax credits, local green building codes, and transition plans for mid-rise and high-performance buildings. This ensures the brief guides design decisions that meet both client expectations and compliance needs.

To reflect client-specific processes and preferences

Capture how the client likes to work, so communication and approvals flow smoothly.

Describe preferred meeting formats, decision timelines, and documentation standards to align the brief with internal processes. For example, specify weekly design reviews, milestone checkpoints, and the preferred format for decision memos or sign-offs. Include any required client portals, file-sharing practices, and response times so the team can plan work-back schedules with confidence.

Document standards and collaboration tools early in the brief. Define naming conventions for drawings and models, file formats (PDF, DWG, Revit, IFC), and revision numbering. Mention whether BIM coordination meetings are mandatory, and outline how issues are tracked and resolved. By embedding these preferences, the brief becomes a dependable reference for both the client and the design team.

Use a client-specific appendix or a dedicated section to house these processes. This keeps the core template intact while offering a clear, tailored guide that mirrors how the client operates—from approvals to documentation—to minimize rework and speed up delivery.

How Bonsai helps manage architecture design brief templates

Bonsai makes a static architecture design brief template come alive by turning it into a living, reusable part of your workflow. Save your ideal structure once, collaborate with clients on each new brief, and connect briefs to downstream project and financial management.

To create reusable architecture design brief templates

In Bonsai, you can build your ideal architecture design brief template by capturing the sections you use most and saving them as a standard blueprint.

Start with core sections: project overview, site information, scope, constraints, and budget. Add field types you need, such as client name, location, zoning status, permit requirements, and timeline. Once saved, the template pre-fills the structure for every new brief, so your team starts from a consistent foundation instead of rebuilding from scratch. You can clone the template for new projects and adjust only the changing details, keeping consistency across the studio.

To track and manage architecture design briefs in one place

Bonsai centralizes all architecture design briefs in one place and links each brief to its client and project.

All briefs live in a single workspace, and each brief attaches to a specific client and project. This makes it easy to pull up the right brief during kickoff and review. You also get a clean history of versions and approvals, so you can see what changed and when. Status tagging (Draft, In Review, Approved) gives you a quick snapshot of progress. Collaboration is built in: you can share the brief with clients for comments, collect inputs directly in the document, and keep stakeholders aligned as requirements evolve.

To automate approvals, notifications, and downstream work

Automation in Bonsai helps move from drafts to decisions without manual follow-up. Set up standard automations so the right people see updates at the right times. Here's how it works in practice:

First, you define a trigger (like a status change or milestone date). Next, you map the recipients who should receive the update, and finally you configure the action (send an email, post in-app notification, or update a related task). This setup keeps everyone informed and reduces manual follow-up.

• Send the brief for e-signature automatically when the brief reaches an approved status, cutting waiting time for clients to sign off.
• Notify stakeholders by email or in-app alert when updates are made or new comments are added, so no one misses an important change.
• Tie approved briefs to project plans or budgets by auto-creating or updating linked tasks, milestones, and cost estimates, ensuring design decisions flow into execution.
• Remind users about key milestones or review dates with scheduled reminders, which reduces missed deadlines and last-minute rushes.