The early-stage site briefing checklist.

A strong brief explains the decision you are working towards. Are you assessing a potential acquisition, developing a design, planning an investigation or reviewing how a site is managed?

That context helps a consultant suggest an appropriate scope, rather than assuming you need a familiar list of reports.

Bring together a location plan, the proposed use, existing studies and any known site constraints. Note the source and date of the information and identify where access or ownership needs to be discussed.

You do not need every answer before the first conversation. A useful brief distinguishes what is known from what still needs to be explored.

Explain the decision date, project dependencies and any site access constraints. Some fieldwork is sensitive to season or conditions, so discuss the programme with the relevant specialist before setting assumptions.

Consider who needs to use the findings. A technical report, a constraints plan and a conversation with the design team serve different purposes. Discuss the format and level of detail before the work begins.