How do you define the scope and goals of your design project?

1 Understand the brief

The first step in defining the scope and goals of your design project is to understand the brief from your client or stakeholder. This document should provide a comprehensive overview of the purpose, objectives, requirements, constraints, and expectations of the project. It's important to have a good understanding of who the target audience is and what their needs and preferences are. Additionally, you should know what message or story the design should communicate, what deliverables and formats should be included, what deadlines and milestones should be followed, and what budget and resources should be respected. If there is any confusion or uncertainty about the brief, you should ask for clarification or feedback before proceeding. You can also use tools such as Bonsai or Milanote to create your own brief template or checklist.

2 Define the scope

The next step in defining the scope and goals of your design project is to determine the scope of your work. A clear scope statement should describe the extent and limitations of the design project, including features, functions, and quality standards that the design should meet, as well as any risks, assumptions, and dependencies that should be considered. This will help to avoid scope creep, which is when a project expands beyond its original boundaries without proper approval or adjustment. Additionally, a clear scope statement can aid in managing time, budget, and resources more effectively and efficiently. It can also help to communicate expectations and deliverables to clients or stakeholders more clearly and confidently, as well as measure progress and performance more accurately and objectively. Tools such as Scope or SOW (Statement of Work) Generator can be used to help write the scope statement or document.

3 Set the goals

The final step in defining the scope and goals of your design project is to set SMART outcomes that align with the objectives and expectations of the project. This means you should ask yourself questions such as: what value or benefit should your design provide to the target audience and the client or stakeholder? How will you measure the success or impact of your design, and what metrics will you use? What challenges or obstacles might you face in achieving your goals, and how will you overcome them? How will you track and report progress and results to your client or stakeholder, and what tools or methods will you use?

In order to ensure a clear vision for your design, tools such as Goalscape or Asana can help you set, manage, and monitor your goals. Ultimately, defining the scope and goals of your design project can help you deliver on time, on budget, on quality; improve communication with your client or stakeholder; and boost your satisfaction and confidence as a graphic designer.