My first step in any design process is understanding needs and expectations for individual deliverables. Where will design decisions and details be valuable vs. premature? On some projects, a handfull of high-res / low-fi mocks might be the best deliverable. On other projects, a low-res / high-fi technical architecture would be the better fit.

I use graphic examples to develop a shared understanding of "resolution" and "fidelity" with project stakeholders.