Proposal: Guidelines and Samples

During my college days, it is hard to distinguish the difference between the kinds and classification of proposal that’s why I want to share this information. The following text was taken in “Technical Writing, Organization, Form and Content, revised edition by Corazon C. Obnamia, Mariano S Dela Cruz and Margaret S. Aquino.”

Kinds of Proposal

There are three (3) kinds of proposal

1.  The Technical Proposal solves a problem
2. The Management Proposal explains to the prospective client how the entire project will be managed, tells who will manage it, and suggests a time schedule for the completion of the project.
3. A Cost Proposal gives a detailed breakdown of the cost in terms of labor and materials.

Classification of Proposals

1.    A Solicited proposal is requested by a client or a customer.

A request for proposal (RFP) is a document sent out by organizations wanting to receive proposals for a product or service.  It guides an organization on 1) what a proposal should cover 2) when it should be submitted and 3) to whom it should be sent.

2.    An Unsolicited proposal is submitted without a request.

It is prepared by a company in the hope that the excellence of the idea or plan proposed will persuade the potential client of the need.

Of course, it will said to be effective proposal if it is accepted.  The question is how to write an effective proposal.  Proposal is effective if it prove to solve a problem and get approve by your reader or audience.

At the beginning of your proposal, state your purpose clearly. Also, mention your background information so that your audience or reader will understand your proposal. In addition, avoid technical terms and use language that everyone can understand.

In order to have an effective proposal, you should define the problem clearly and then specify your solution to solve the problem. Remember that the purpose of your proposal is to convince your reader or audience that your solution is the best.  As much as possible provide samples and information based on facts to be more convincing and meaningful.  Your opinion will not support by your audience.  Research more about your topic to have more concrete evidence that will support your proposal.

Include the analysis of your plan as well as the result of your solution.  Your audience should know that the solution is working to solve the problem.

The most concern of your audience if your proposal is financially feasible, that’s why it is important that your proposal is attainable and affordable by the company.  Think of company’s finances.  Explain to them that your proposal would be worth their money and time. You can provide cost benefit analysis.

Finally, overall appearance of your proposal should be perfect such as proper margin, grammar and spelling.

Writing proposal can be tedious job but if you will know the steps of writing proposal, it can never be difficult.  The first step in writing a proposal is defining the project by establishing proposal title.  Also, it is need to identify the agency as well as find out guidelines and deadlines.  Write down preliminary material. In addition, perform literature search and also consider writing the first draft of full proposal.

Some parts to consider in writing proposal are introduction, problem statement, objectives, methodology, evaluation if necessary, dissemination, future funding, budget, appendices, abstract and curriculum vitae. Not all proposals require these parts but most of them are required by agency.

The following are some tips and strategies in writing proposal:

• Make use of outline formats and records to break up narrative texts.
• Do not use vague languages like might, could, ought, should, hope, will, may, it appears, consider.
• Don’t think that the reader is familiar with the subject.
• Prevent using unsupported arguments.
• Avoid impossible promises.
• Include illustrations or visuals to explain abstract concepts and relationships.
• Proofread and review proposal over and over again and let someone to proofread it to see opinion of others.
• Proposal should be organized, readable, grammar free and without missing page and also consider overall appearance such as cleanliness.

I hope these proposal checklist helps you in writing your proposal.

• Obtain copy of RFP to make sure that your proposal adheres with the guidelines and rules.

• State your idea clearly and concisely in writing.

• Your proposal should be timely, significant, innovative and unique.

• Cite alternative approaches and justified why your idea is the best.

• Review literature carefully.

• Identify your skills and partner’s skills.

• Use graphs, tables, figures and visual materials.

• Don’t forget to include the schedule of activities.

• Include proposal costing

• Get specialist or expert knowledge, if necessary.

• Number the pages of your proposal.

• Let someone proofread your proposal for further evaluation and correction.

• Attach necessary supporting documents.

The technical proposal is our division’s primary sales tool. Our proposals can have a major effect on our performance in highly competitive… market, and it is imperative that they be as good as we can possibly make them. They must not only be technically sound, but they must also be logically and clearly presented.

What is proposal?

- A proposal is a written offer to solve as technical problem in a particular way, under a specified plan of management, for a specified sum of money.

- A proposal is a document designed to convince a “customer” that the company (or organization) presenting it is better qualified to supply a desired product or service than are all the other companies submitting proposals.

- Often a proposal is a very long report and instead of being prepared by a single author, a considerable number of people may collaborate in the writing.

- Some proposals are quite brief and are being prepared by a single author.

- Proposals must be factual, objective, logical.

Proposal Objective

1. Business Proposal
- to solve the perceived problem in the reader’s organization or government office
- to win an award of a contract
- benefits of the proposed services or products are offered for a quoted payment, usually money

2. Research Proposal
- researcher writes a proposal to the funding agency requesting for compensation – a grant

Proposal Condition

1. A proposal prepared by a single author in an application to a government agency for funding a research project.
2. A proposal written by a researcher which is research study. The researcher needs a grant before undertaking a costly project or study culminating in a long, formal report must write a research proposal to the funding agency. Again the writer requests compensation – a grant.