Grobkonzept

Grobkonzept, meaning rough concept, is a high-level document used in early phases of projects in German-speaking contexts. It describes the overarching objective, the intended outcomes, the scope and boundaries, and the general approach to delivering the solution. The Grobkonzept serves to communicate the idea to stakeholders, to obtain initial approvals, and to provide a basis for subsequent planning. It is not a detailed specification.

A typical Grobkonzept covers the main elements of the intended solution at a high level. These include the project goals and success criteria, the defined scope with exclusions, key stakeholders, major deliverables and milestones, and high-level requirements. It also outlines a rough architectural approach, interfaces or integration concepts, and major technical or organizational constraints such as budget, timeframe, and regulatory considerations. Risks, assumptions, dependencies, and an approximate timeline are commonly included to frame uncertainty and planning needs.

Process and lifecycle: the Grobkonzept is produced early in a project and is refined as more information becomes available. It usually feeds into a Feinkonzept (detailed concept), technical design, or implementation planning and serves as the basis for decision-making by sponsors and stakeholders. In agile environments, the Grobkonzept can be lightweight and iteratively updated to reflect evolving priorities.

Applications and context: Grobkonzepte are used across industries including software development, construction, product design, and public administration. They help align user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility before detailed requirements and concrete tasks are defined. The exact format and depth vary by organization and project.