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BRD templates: Standard and Lean

Two BRD templates for different situations. Copy the one you need, fill in the sections, delete the prompts.

How to choose:

  • Standard BRD — enterprise project, formal approval process, large budget
  • Lean BRD — mid-sized project, agile organization, time-sensitive decision

More on each format: BRD — the complete guide.

Standard BRD

Full template with eleven sections. For projects that require executive approval and a formal business case.

# BRD — [Project Name]

## Overview
- **Project Name:**
- **Author:**
- **Date:**
- **Version:**
- **Status:** Draft / In Review / Approved
- **Sponsor:**

## 1. Executive Summary
One-page overview: what problem the project solves, what solution is proposed, and what benefit the organization expects. Write this section last.

## 2. Business Objectives
State objectives using SMART or OKR format.

| # | Objective | Metric | Target | Deadline |
|---|-----------|--------|--------|----------|
| 1 |           |        |        |          |
| 2 |           |        |        |          |

## 3. Current State (AS-IS)
How the process or system works today. Include:
- Current workflow or process description
- Pain points and inefficiencies
- Current costs (labor, tools, opportunity cost)
- Data or evidence supporting the need for change

## 4. Future State (TO-BE)
How the process or system should work after the project. Include:
- Target workflow or process
- Expected improvements over AS-IS
- New capabilities the organization gains

The gap between AS-IS and TO-BE defines the project scope.

## 5. Stakeholder Analysis
| Stakeholder | Role | Interest | Engagement Level |
|-------------|------|----------|-----------------|
|             |      |          | Inform / Consult / Approve |

## 6. Business Requirements
High-level requirements in business language. Prioritize by impact.

| # | Requirement | Priority | Rationale |
|---|------------|----------|-----------|
| 1 |            | Critical / High / Medium |  |
| 2 |            |          |           |

Note: these are business outcomes, not technical specifications. Technical details belong in the FRD.

## 7. Cost-Benefit Analysis
### Costs
| Item | One-Time | Recurring (Annual) |
|------|----------|-------------------|
| Development |    |                   |
| Infrastructure | |                   |
| Training |       |                   |
| **Total** |      |                   |

### Benefits
| Benefit | Estimated Value | Timeline |
|---------|----------------|----------|
| Revenue increase |        |          |
| Cost savings |            |          |
| Risk reduction |          |          |
| **Total (Year 1)** |      |          |

### ROI
- Payback period:
- ROI (%):

## 8. Constraints and Assumptions
### Constraints
- Budget:
- Timeline:
- Technology:
- Regulatory:

### Assumptions
- [List assumptions that underlie the business case]

## 9. Risks and Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|--------|-----------|
|      | Low / Medium / High | Low / Medium / High |  |

## 10. Timeline and Milestones
| Phase | Milestone | Target Date | Decision Gate |
|-------|-----------|-------------|--------------|
|       |           |             | Yes / No     |

## 11. Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|------|-----------|
|      |           |

Lean BRD

Minimal template with five sections. For projects that need a structured business justification without a twenty-page document.

More: Lean BRD — guide.

# Lean BRD — [Project Name]

- **Author:**
- **Date:**
- **Sponsor:**
- **Decision needed by:**

## 1. Problem or Opportunity
What triggered this project? Describe the business problem or market opportunity in concrete terms — revenue lost, costs incurred, customers affected.

## 2. Business Objectives
| Objective | Metric | Target | Deadline |
|-----------|--------|--------|----------|
|           |        |        |          |

## 3. Key Requirements
High-level business requirements (5-10 items). Express as outcomes, not features.
- [ ]
- [ ]
- [ ]

## 4. Expected Return and Cost
### Cost
| Item | Amount |
|------|--------|
|      |        |
| **Total** | |

### Return
| Benefit | Amount (Year 1) |
|---------|----------------|
|         |                |
| **Total** |              |

Payback period:

## 5. Risks
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|--------|-----------|
|      |           |        |           |

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