The one-page initial research brief (template and example)

Use a concise brief to request time, align stakeholders, and clarify what a pilot will prove. Keep it to one page so it gets read and acted on.

Template (headings to copy into your document)

• Title: short, descriptive
• Context: 1–2 sentences describing where the problem appears
• Problem statement / question: the framed, bounded question you will investigate
• Why it matters: who benefits and what decision will be affected
• Rapid evidence summary: 2–3 bullets from your literature scan
• Assumptions to test: 2–4 concise assumptions
• Success criteria (measurable): 1–2 metrics or decision rules
• Proposed pilot approach: short methods, sample size or runs, duration
• Estimated resources: people, equipment time, budget
• Key risks & mitigations: top 2–3 risks and how you’ll reduce them
• Decisions requested: what you need from stakeholders (time, approval, data access)

Short example (filled)

Title: Pilot to reduce within-run assay variability for Assay X

Context: Assay X shows week-to-week coefficient of variation (CV) range of 8–18% across three lab technicians, causing re-runs and delayed reporting.

Problem statement: Does automating sample prep reduce within-run CV by ≥20% compared with manual prep for Assay X under routine conditions?

Why it matters: Reducing variability will lower re-test rate and technician time, enabling 15% more throughput without new hires.

Rapid evidence: 1) Two small studies show automation lowers CV in similar assays; 2) one internal report warns of integration latency; 3) no large-scale reproducibility studies found.

Assumptions: automation is compatible with current reagents; instrument throughput matches planned sample volume.

Success criteria: within-run CV reduction ≥20% and no more than 10% increase in per-sample cost.

Pilot approach: run 3 paired runs (manual vs automated) over two weeks, analyze CV and throughput metrics.

Resources: 0.3 FTE lab time, 8 hours instrument access, consumables $1,200.

Risks & mitigations: instrument queue times — book shared time in advance; unexpected reagent interactions — plan small compatibility tests.

Decisions requested: approval for instrument booking and $1,200 budget for consumables.

How to use the brief

Share the brief with stakeholders 48 hours before a short alignment huddle. Ask reviewers to comment on assumptions and success criteria — the goal is a clear yes/no decision at pilot end, not to prove everything.