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How to Start Strong

  • Research
  • Innovation

Overview

How good project briefs strengthen innovation teams

This is the subject of the scientific article

In many companies and universities, innovation projects are carried out together with students. The project brief is crucial for success. But how do you formulate this brief in a way that promotes creativity while setting clear goals? The article examines how companies and universities can design project briefs to optimally support student teams from the outset. To do this, 68 project briefs from an international university network are analyzed. 

Read the summary on this page or follow the link to the full text of the article.

Content

More information

Carleton, T., & Uebernickel, F. (2025). How to start strong: Different approaches for crafting project briefs with corporate sponsors for global innovation and STEM-based team projects. 

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Key findings

A clear starting point is crucial

A well-formulated project brief gives the team orientation and motivation. It helps to avoid misunderstandings and promotes a common understanding of the goals. The article shows that a strong start lays the foundation for project success.

Seven types of project goals identified

The analysis of the project assignments showed that companies pursue seven different types of objectives, from short-term improvements to long-term visions. This shows the diversity of expectations and the need to formulate the assignment clearly.

Formulations influence creativity

The way a project brief is formulated influences the team's approach. For example, the question “How could we...?” encourages creative thinking, while other formulations such as “We dream of...” inspire visionary thinking.

What this means in practice – a few examples

A company wants to improve the user-friendliness of its app. Instead of formulating the task vaguely, it asks: “How could we simplify the registration process for new users?” This clear, open question gives the team a specific focus while encouraging creative solutions.

Another example: A company dreams of a sustainable packaging solution. The assignment is: “We dream of packaging that is fully biodegradable.” This visionary formulation inspires the team to develop innovative and environmentally friendly solutions.

You should read the complete article if...

you are responsible for working with student project teams in a company or at a university. It offers valuable insights into how to design project briefs that both set clear goals and foster creative solutions. It is particularly helpful for anyone who is conducting innovation projects with external partners and wants to lay the foundation for successful collaboration.

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