A clearer brief.
A better first prototype.

Use this template to turn an idea from ChatGPT, Claude or your own notes into requirements an engineering team can review. You can leave unknowns open.

From conversation to project brief

Copy the prompt into your AI conversation. It asks for missing information before drafting the brief.
Check the result yourself. Keep requirements separate from suggestions. Mark unverified design details.
Edit the brief below. Paste the result or fill in the blank template. Remove anything you are not ready to share.
Continue to the inquiry form. Add your contact details and optional files, then submit when you are ready.

Make It Physical is an independent prototyping service and is not affiliated with OpenAI or Anthropic. This page does not connect to either AI service.

The editor works in your browser. Text is sent to Make It Physical only when you submit the project inquiry. Use a non-confidential summary if you need an NDA first.

Download the blank brief (.txt) ↓

01 / Use with your AI assistant

Copy this prompt

Prompt for ChatGPT, Claude or another text assistant

Help me turn our product idea into a practical prototype project brief for an engineering review.

First ask me up to five questions about the most important missing requirements.
Then organize the brief under these headings:
1. Product and intended user
2. Essential functions of the first prototype
3. Starting point and available files/revisions
4. Size, materials and mechanical requirements
5. Electronics, power and firmware responsibilities
6. Prototype goal and observable passing checks
7. Quantity, budget/currency, target date and destination country
8. Assumptions, open questions and confidentiality requirements

Separate confirmed requirements, suggestions and unknowns. Do not invent measurements,
prices, delivery promises, part availability or test results. Flag AI-generated design
details that need engineering verification. If this is a mechanical-only product,
mark electronics as not applicable. Keep the final brief under 5,500 characters.

My product idea and existing information:
[Paste a description you are comfortable sharing with this AI service.]

02 / Review and edit

Your prototype brief

Paste your AI-prepared brief or fill in this template

PROTOTYPE PROJECT BRIEF
Prepared with the Make It Physical template — https://makeitphysical.com/prototype-brief

1. Product and intended user:
[What are you making, who will use it, and why?]

2. Essential functions:
[List the 1–3 things the first prototype must demonstrate.]

3. Starting point:
[Written idea / AI image / sketch / CAD / PCB files / existing prototype.
List available files and revisions. Identify drafts.]

4. Size, materials and mechanical requirements:
[Approximate dimensions, mounting, movement, mating parts and environment.
Write "unknown" where undecided.]

5. Electronics and software:
[Power, sensors, controls, display, connectivity, existing modules.
Who provides firmware? Write "not applicable" if purely mechanical.]

6. Prototype goal and passing checks:
[Appearance model / functional prototype / both.
Describe how you will evaluate the result.]

7. Quantity, budget, timing and delivery:
[Quantity; budget and currency; target date; destination country.
Separate firm constraints from preferences.]

8. Assumptions, open questions and confidentiality:
[List unverified AI suggestions and decisions still needed.
State whether an NDA is requested before detailed files are shared.]

Next step: review this brief, then submit your inquiry at
https://makeitphysical.com/start
Your inquiry is not a quote or an order. Engineering and build scope are agreed after review.

Maximum 6,000 characters. Do not include passwords or information unrelated to the project.

Electronics · Mechanical · Complete assemblies

Give your idea
a practical next step.

Start with the information you have. We will review what is needed.

Start your project ↗

A clearer brief.A better first prototype.

From conversation to project brief

Copy this prompt

Your prototype brief

Give your ideaa practical next step.

A clearer brief.
A better first prototype.

Give your idea
a practical next step.