I just hit 30 days without a single 'scope creep' email from a client

After a bad project last fall where a simple logo turned into a full brand guide for free, I started using a super clear project brief template. I list every single deliverable, down to the number of revisions, and make them sign off before I start. It felt like overkill at first, but it's saved me so much stress. I even had a client ask for an extra icon last week, and I could just point to the brief and say 'that's a new project'. Has anyone else found a specific document or step that really cut down on those endless little requests?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_xena20d ago

That rigid approach just kills any chance for a good creative partnership.

jesse_west20d ago

A clear brief isn't rigid, it's just a shared map. It actually builds a better partnership because everyone knows the rules from the start. You can still be flexible and creative within the agreed-upon space. That bad project you mentioned is exactly why you need one, otherwise the goalposts keep moving. It sets a professional tone that prevents resentment later on. Good creative work needs clear boundaries to actually happen.