Brief templates › Software Development Brief · Last updated October 24, 2026
When to use this software development brief
Use it when scoping software for a client: requirements, process, technical stack, UX/UI, testing and post-launch support.
- 60 questions
- 6 sections
- Free to copy
- Editable in MyBriefy
The 60 questions
Software Development (General)
- What is the primary goal of this software? (e.g., automation, user engagement, data processing, AI integration)
- Who are the primary users of the software, and what are their key needs?
- What are the core problems the software should solve?
- What type of software is being developed? (e.g., web application, mobile app, SaaS, enterprise software)
- What are the key features and functionalities required?
- Are there any specific "must-have" and "nice-to-have" features?
- What is the expected scale of the software? (e.g., small business use, enterprise level, global user base)
- What platforms should the software be available on? (e.g., Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web)
- Are there existing competitors or similar solutions in the market?
- How will this software differentiate itself from competitors?
Technical
- What technologies or programming languages should be used? (e.g., Python, Java, React, Node.js)
- What are the key integrations needed? (e.g., third-party APIs, payment gateways, CRM, AI models)
- Are there any existing systems or databases that the software should interact with?
- Should the software be cloud-based, on-premise, or hybrid?
- What level of security and data protection is required? (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA compliance, encryption)
- What authentication methods should be used? (e.g., email login, SSO, OAuth, biometric authentication)
- Should the software support multiple languages or internationalization?
- Will the software require real-time data processing or AI/ML capabilities?
- Are there specific performance benchmarks or speed requirements?
- What are the expected storage and data handling needs?
User Experience & UX/UI Design
- What are the key user flows and interactions within the software?
- Are there existing wireframes or design guidelines to follow?
- Should the software follow a specific design system or branding?
- What accessibility standards should be met? (e.g., WCAG compliance)
- What level of customization or personalization should be available to users?
- Are there animations, microinteractions, or advanced UI elements required?
- Should the software support dark mode or theme customization?
- What is the expected learning curve for users? (e.g., beginner-friendly, advanced user tools)
- Are there onboarding or tutorial features needed?
- Should the interface be optimized for mobile-first or desktop-first use?
Scope & Development Process
- What is the estimated timeline for the project?
- Will development be done in phases (MVP, Beta, Full Release)?
- What is the allocated budget for software development?
- Should Agile, Scrum, or another development methodology be used?
- Who are the key stakeholders involved in the project?
- How frequently should progress updates be reported?
- What tools or platforms will be used for project management? (e.g., Jira, Trello, Asana)
- Are there external teams or third-party vendors involved in development?
- Who is responsible for final approvals on features and designs?
- How will feedback and iterations be handled?
Testing & Quality Assurance
- What testing methodologies should be followed? (e.g., unit testing, integration testing, user testing)
- What devices, browsers, or operating systems should the software be tested on?
- Are there automated testing or CI/CD pipeline requirements?
- Will there be a dedicated QA team, or should developers handle testing?
- What is the process for bug tracking and reporting?
- What level of security testing is required?
- Should the software be stress-tested for high traffic loads?
- Are there backup and disaster recovery plans in place?
- What is the plan for beta testing and gathering user feedback?
- What success criteria must be met before launch?
Post-Launch & Maintenance
- What is the long-term support and maintenance strategy?
- How frequently should updates and patches be released?
- Who will be responsible for ongoing software maintenance?
- What kind of user support or helpdesk system should be implemented?
- Should analytics be integrated to track user behavior and performance?
- What level of scalability should the software support for future growth?
- Will there be a dedicated team for bug fixes and troubleshooting post-launch?
- Are there monetization strategies to be incorporated? (e.g., subscriptions, one-time payments, ads)
- How will user feedback be collected and prioritized for future updates?
- What is the roadmap for future feature additions and improvements?
“Copy for AI” makes a prompt for ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini that walks you through this brief.
Skip the copy and paste. In MyBriefy this brief is ready to send: your client answers online, you both comment on the answers, and the approved brief stays on the client's record.
Send this brief freeHow to use it in MyBriefy
- Start a free 30-day trial and add your client. 30 clients and projects are free on every paid plan, and you can add more as you go.
- Pick the Software Development Brief template. Add your own questions or hide the ones that don't fit the job.
- Share the brief with your client. They answer online and approve it, and comments stay next to each answer.
- Work from the approved brief. Turn it into tasks, a contract or an invoice with the add-ons when you need them.
Related brief templates
Popular with agencies
Questions about this template
- Is this software development brief template free?
- Yes. Copy the 60 questions for free, or use them in MyBriefy, where you can try everything free for 30 days with no credit card.
- Can I change the questions?
- Yes. In MyBriefy you can add your own questions or hide the ones that don't fit the job before you send the brief. If you copy them instead, they're yours to edit however you like.
New to MyBriefy? Read how client brief software works or see pricing.
