How to Create UX Design Briefs Stakeholders Understand

Clarity on expected deliverables makes a UX design brief truly impactful to stakeholders. Different stakeholders often have varying expectations of what should be included in a design, which leads to confusion or endless revision loops. Creating a brief that all parties understand is essential for successful project outcomes.

Let’s break down how to create a UX design brief that doesn’t just check a box but moves your project forward.

What is a UX Design Brief?

A UX design brief is a document that outlines the key elements, goals, and requirements for a design project. It serves as a roadmap for the design team and stakeholders, helping to align expectations, define scope, and guide the design process from concept to completion.

As a UX design and development agency, we create briefs constantly. And after years of doing this, one thing’s clear: when your brief is clear, your project’s chances of success skyrocket.

Start with a Clear Project Overview

Summarise what’s being built, why it matters, and what success looks like. This is your elevator pitch in paragraph form.

👉 Example:  “We’re redesigning the admin dashboard to support faster onboarding of landlords for enterprise clients.”

Define the Users

Don’t just talk features—talk people. Use personas and insights from research to make users real for stakeholders.

👉 Example: “Operations managers need to bulk-add verified landlords in under 10 minutes.”

Set Clear Design Goals and Metrics

Replace vague aspirations like “improve usability” with measurable outcomes.

✅ Instead of: “Better user experience”

✅ Try: “Reduce time spent finding a property by 30%”

Acknowledge Constraints and Assumptions

Don’t pretend limitations don’t exist. Whether it's dev bandwidth, a legacy codebase, or fixed deadlines, be upfront.

“Design must align with the existing design system. APIs for onboarding are still under development.”

Add Timelines and Deliverables

Be specific. If you can map it to a sprint or a calendar, do it. This helps everyone stay grounded.

Example: 

Week 2: Wireframes

Week 4: Clickable prototype

Week 5: Usability test results

Establish Communication Channels

Avoid confusion by defining where updates happen. Slack thread? Shared doc? Weekly Zoom? Choose one and stick to it.

Keep It Collaborative

A brief is not a contract, it’s a conversation starter. Leave space for comments and improvements.

Finally, keep the brief open to feedback. A good design brief isn’t set in stone—it’s a living reference point that evolves with the project. It should invite questions, spark conversations, and help everyone stay aligned.

Conclusion: UX Briefs Should Build Bridges, Not Barriers

At the end of the day, a UX brief isn’t just a document, it’s a handshake. When it’s thoughtful, clear, and people-focused, it helps stakeholders, designers, and developers rally around a shared vision.

So before you hit “Send,” pause and ask yourself:

“Would I understand this if I were reading it for the first time?”

If yes, you’re on track to a smoother, smarter UX design process.

Pro Tip: Use a Brief Template

If you’re working across multiple projects or clients, save time by building a reusable template that includes:

Need a design partner who knows how to bring clarity from day one?

When you work with us, you won’t get vague promises or last-minute surprises. You’ll get well-crafted briefs that align teams, cut down revisions, and keep your project moving forward confidently.

Let’s build something great together.