> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.focaldata.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Scoping a project > Start from the decision the research needs to inform Not every project starts with a clearly defined brief, methodology, or audience. In practice, the highest-resolution starting point is often the decision the team needs to make, rather than a fully articulated research plan. Focaldata AI is designed to work with this reality. It supports projects that begin with partial, evolving, or loosely defined inputs, and helps translate those into a structured piece of qualitative research. ## Start with the decision Before setting up a project, be clear — at least informally — about the decision the research is intended to inform. This does not need to be a perfectly phrased research objective. Common examples include: * Choosing between two or three messaging or creative routes. * Understanding potential backlash, misunderstanding, or risk. * Refining language, framing, or emphasis before public release. * Exploring how a specific audience interprets an issue or proposition. Being explicit about the decision keeps objectives, guide design, and analysis focused on what you actually need to learn. Turn your decision and context into structured research objectives.