Glossary  ·  2 min read

Task brief: definition, example and how to measure it

A task brief says what result you want, who it is for, what it must include and when it is due. Definition, a before-and-after example, and how to measure brief quality.

A task brief with its five parts labelledTask: Customer email about the new verification stepRESULTA short email from support@ to all currentcustomers.FORAll current customers. Many read on their phones.MUST INCLUDEWhat changes · what to do first time · start dateJune 3 · help article linkMUST NOTMention the pricing change · promise phone supportDUEDraft Thursday noon to Dana. Dana approves. SendFriday.1A thing you can point at, notan activity2Changes the shape of the work3Where most redos start4Stops the one addition thatgets it sent back5One named approver, not 'theteam'Two minutes to write. Nothing left for the other person to guess.

A task brief is a short note that says what result you want, who it is for, what it must include, what it must not do, and when it is due. A task title says what to work on. A brief says what finished looks like.

1Glossary

In plain words

"Customer email" is a title. A brief turns it into something a person can finish right the first time.

2Glossary

Before and after

Before: "Write the customer email about verification."

After:

  • Result: A short email to all current customers about the new verification step.
  • For: Customers, many reading on their phones.
  • Must include: What changes, what to do the first time, the start date.
  • Must not: Mention the security incident.
  • Due: Draft Wednesday, send Friday.

The second version takes two minutes more to write and saves a day of back-and-forth.

3Glossary

How to measure it

MeasureHow
Tasks with a briefTasks with result, audience and must-haves ÷ all tasks
Questions before startingClarifying questions per task
First-time-rightAccepted with no changes ÷ delivered
How M-Tracker helps

Where M-Tracker fits

Every M-Tracker task has a brief: the result, the reader, the must-haves, and the goal it supports. You can type it or say it out loud. The first review of the finished work checks against it. No screenshots and no activity tracking.

Try M-Tracker free14-day trial. No credit card. No employee surveillance.

A task brief with its five parts labelledTask: Customer email about the new verification stepRESULTA short email from support@ to all currentcustomers.FORAll current customers. Many read on their phones.MUST INCLUDEWhat changes · what to do first time · start dateJune 3 · help article linkMUST NOTMention the pricing change · promise phone supportDUEDraft Thursday noon to Dana. Dana approves. SendFriday.1A thing you can point at, notan activity2Changes the shape of the work3Where most redos start4Stops the one addition thatgets it sent back5One named approver, not 'theteam'Two minutes to write. Nothing left for the other person to guess.

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