"Symptom: you've written more than a 5pg business plan."
The design brief for our website was seven pages if I remember correctly. First we described who our customers were, along with their psychology and values. Then we described the vibe we were going for and why it would resonate with them. Then we described 10 or so design elements that sent signals consistent with what we were going for, and listed five or so examples of each element being used on various sites across the web. Now I realize that this is different than a business plan, but if you haven't done more than five pages worth of thinking then you probably don't understand what your assumptions are or how to test them.
I agree, but I think Gabriel's main point is in the parenthesis - "Symptom: you've written more than a 5pg business plan (intended for others)"
You're more likely to find someone to invest in or collaborate with you based on a prototype than a detailed rationalisation of the thought behind the prototype you're thinking of building.
Putting your thoughts on paper is one thing. Putting your thoughts on paper as a substitute for trying to put them into practice is another.
The design brief for our website was seven pages if I remember correctly. First we described who our customers were, along with their psychology and values. Then we described the vibe we were going for and why it would resonate with them. Then we described 10 or so design elements that sent signals consistent with what we were going for, and listed five or so examples of each element being used on various sites across the web. Now I realize that this is different than a business plan, but if you haven't done more than five pages worth of thinking then you probably don't understand what your assumptions are or how to test them.