How to brief an outside expert so you get what you need

A good brief is the cheapest way to improve the result of any outside work. It does not need to be long. It needs to be specific.

Say what is going wrong

Describe the problem and its effect in plain terms: what happens, how often and who is affected. Avoid describing the solution you assume is needed. The expert may see a different cause.

Share what you have already tried

List the fixes that did not work and why you think they failed. It saves time and stops the expert from repeating them.

Name the constraints

Budget limits, deadlines, systems you must keep and people who must be involved all shape the answer more than most clients expect. Say them early.

Describe what done looks like

State the deliverables and how you will judge them. A one-page recommendation and a tested process change is clear. Help with our supply chain is not.

Agree how you will work together

Decide who the expert reports to, how often you will check in and who can approve changes. Clear roles prevent most misunderstandings.