NZQA registered unit standard
Title
Write a design brief
Level
5
15720 version 4
Page 1 of 4
Credits
3
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: identify the
nature and scope of a design project; analyse the client needs;
develop a design brief; and document the design brief process.
Classification
Design > Generic Design
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Performance of all outcomes must be carried out in accordance with industry and/or
organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Industry and/or
organisation standards and procedures may include: quality assurance,
documentation, security, communication, health and safety, ethics, interpersonal
behaviour, and design practice image. An acceptable standard would be comparable
to ISO 9000 certified organisations and those set by an incorporated professional or
trade body. Examples of such bodies are the Designers Institute of New Zealand,
New Zealand Institute of Architects and Architectural Designers NZ Incorporated.
2
Performance of all outcomes must be completed within the constraints normally
applicable to a commercial environment.
3
Performance of all outcomes must comply with legislation that has an impact upon
the client's needs and requirements such as, but not limited to: Building Act 2004,
Copyright Act 1994, Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Designs Act 1953, Fair Trading
Act 1986, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Patents Act 1953, Privacy Act
1993, Resource Management Act 1991, Trade Marks Act 2002, and subsequent
amendments.
4
Definitions
Economic encompasses project budget, increased business performance, and
profitability.
Design brief includes all client instructions including those that may not have a design
content.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Identify the nature and scope of the design project.
Range
written brief, verbal brief.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15720 version 4
Page 2 of 4
Evidence requirements
1.1
The nature and scope of the project are established in accordance with the
client's requirements.
Range
1.2
type of work, size of design project, parameters, viability,
feasibility.
Variations to the initial instructions are authorised by the client.
Outcome 2
Analyse the client's needs.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Analysis tools are selected that match the requirements of the nature and scope
of the project.
Range
2.2
structured interview, checklist, questionnaire.
The client's needs are identified to allow the design brief to be developed to
meet the nature and scope of the project.
Range
economic, financial, physical, psychological, national standards,
international standards.
Outcome 3
Develop a design brief.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The design brief is evaluated to establish that it meets the client's needs and
requirements.
3.2
A design brief is written that meets the client's needs and requirements.
Range
3.3
the design brief may include but is not limited to – preliminary
design, developed design and/or total design project.
The design brief is approved by the client.
Outcome 4
Document the design brief process.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15720 version 4
Page 3 of 4
Evidence requirements
4.1
The documents are prepared, handled, and stored according to the
organisation’s quality management system.
Range
client's initial instructions, nature and scope of the project brief.
4.2
The documents used meet the requirements of a relevant incorporated
professional or trade body.
4.3
Client confidentiality is maintained throughout the documentation process.
4.4
The agreed nature and scope of the project are defined by the design brief
document.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 2063, unit
standard 8154, and unit standard 8155.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
27 November 1998
31 December 2012
Revision
2
15 January 2004
31 December 2012
Rollover and
Revision
3
16 February 2012
N/A
Rollover and
Revision
4
19 September 2013
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0235
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
15720 version 4
Page 4 of 4
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016