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Template preview · Professional services

Client intake and kickoff

Start a client engagement with shared expectations and needed inputs.

A kickoff brief for a fictional professional-services engagement.

Sample purpose

Start a client engagement with shared expectations and needed inputs.

Audience: Project manager, Consultant
Structure
4 sections
Criteria
13
Sources
7
Watches
3
Default approach
Review first
See the sample

Set the purpose first. Then change every section, criterion, and agent setting before anything runs.

Fictional sample

Structure and criteria

Sample content shows the shape of a useful document. Copying it is optional.

  1. 01

    Engagement outcomes

    For this client intake and kickoff, states client outcome and how acceptance will be judged.

    Review first

    Criteria

    • States the deliverable and how the client will use it, such as the lead reviewing high-priority findings.
    • Acceptance is checkable by the client without the studio’s interpretation.
    • Ties to a bookstore goal such as online orders, with a review date.

    Sources

    Sample content

    Brightline Studio needs a complete fictional project brief before the bookstore audit starts. Maya Patel and bookstore owner Luis Chen agree the audit covers the home page, search, and checkout on desktop and mobile. Target review is Nov 6, 2026.

  2. 02

    Client context and inputs

    For this client intake and kickoff, lists required materials, access, and decision makers.

    Review first

    Criteria

    • Each commitment (access, staff time, review turnaround) has a named owner and date.
    • Access such as staging link and analytics is marked granted or scheduled, not assumed.
    • Names decision makers and any absence in the engagement window.

    Sources

    Watches

    • Follows Engagement outcomes

    Sample content

    • ☐ Luis shares staging link and one staff test account
    • ☐ Maya receives current analytics summary without customer names
    • ☐ Confirm final approval contact before design review
  3. 03

    Scope and working agreement

    For this client intake and kickoff, defines deliverables, exclusions, cadence, and approvals.

    Manual

    Criteria

    • Each exclusion is concrete, such as no checkout rebuild and no copywriting.
    • Check-in cadence and midpoint date are agreed on the client’s calendar.
    • Names who approves each deliverable and any leave in the window.
    • Lists assumptions, such as 48-hour answers, and what happens if one fails.

    Sources

    Watches

    • Follows Client context and inputs

    Sample content

    DeliverableAcceptanceOut of scope
    Usability findings and prioritized actionsBookstore lead reviews all high-priority findingsRebuilding checkout or writing marketing copy
  4. 04

    Kickoff actions

    For this client intake and kickoff, assigns each first action to an owner and due date.

    Review first

    Criteria

    • Every action has a named person and a date; none are TBD.
    • Client actions get the same rigor as studio actions and pause work if late.
    • First checkpoint is on both calendars, and prerequisite actions state the date impact if late.

    Sources

    Watches

    • Follows Scope and working agreement

    Sample content

    1. 2026-10-05 · KickoffConfirm goals, access, and decision owner.
    2. 2026-10-19 · Midpoint reviewShare early findings and confirm focus.
    3. 2026-11-06 · ReadoutMaya presents recommendations to Luis.