Start a project with what the client means, not just what they asked for.
The brief says ‘new website.’ The kickoff needs the history behind it: what changed, what is stuck, and what cannot get lost. Send a few fixed voice questions; receive the transcript under each one.
Questions to ask in your next Ramble
- Question 01
What changed that made this project necessary now?
- Question 02
What do you want this work to make easier for your team or customers?
- Question 03
What have people misunderstood about the business so far?
- Question 04
What has already been tried?
- Question 05
What would feel important not to lose as this changes?
Question
What changed that made this project necessary now?
We have grown past the version of the business the site describes. The team knows what we do, but explaining it to a new customer takes too much backstory.
Use it for
Bring the transcript into kickoff, scope notes, and the first working brief.
Not for
This is for gathering the client’s starting context. It does not replace the conversation where the work gets defined.