The briefing team is the task force that executes the briefing process and does the actual writing of the brief. Its members are responsible for all briefing activities, such as user interviews, occupancy measurements, workshops and scenario analyses. In large projects, part of this work may be delegated to work groups or external consultants, but the briefing team still has the responsibility to coordinate those activities. Furthermore, the briefing team should act like an editor-in-chief, reviewing and analysing all the material produced and turning it into a coherent and clear brief.To be able to develop a good brief, the briefing team needs to be made up of two kinds of people: people who know about buildings and people who know about the clients organization. The first group can be external advisers, the second group should be insiders who know their way around the organization and have an in-depth understanding of the organizations activities, power relations, culture and interests. One of the most important skills of the briefing team should be the ability to listen. The team should not push for its own ideas and preferences, but listen closely to what different stakeholders are saying and try to elicit and understand their needs.Furthermore, the team will need diplomatic skills. During the briefing process, they will have to work with a multitude of stakeholders who all have their own ideas and preferences concerning the project. The team will need to be able to balance competing demands, tone down unrealistic expectations, develop productive compromises, and, where necessary, reject requests that do not fit into the projects objectives or budget. As to the teams size, a small briefing teamsay, two to four personswill usually be sufficient, even on very large projects. Working with a small team avoids lengthy discussions and makes it easier to create a coherent brief, with a single message and a single tone of voice. Responsibilities-Writing the brief.-Coordinating all briefing activities, including the activities of the work groups and external consultants.-Communication with the steering committee, work groups and end users.-Evaluation of design proposals in relation to the brief.-Preparing formal briefing documents for the steering committee.-Managing and administering a requirements database, if available (see Briefing and BIM, page 129).Members-Both insiders and external experts on the building type in question.-People with excellent writing and communication skills.Recommendations-Ensure that the briefing team has strong communication skills. They should be able to communicate both up (steering committee) and down (workgroups and users).-Mix technical knowledge with diplomatic skills.-Include a professional briefer in the team if there is no prior experience with construction projects.