Proposal Facts

What is Proposal

It is a written document to encourage the reader for an idea to make action. It is an offer to be accepted or rejected.

What are the characteristics of proposal

  1. A proposal should be persuasive to convince the reader.
  2. It should have a deep understanding of the problem and the proposed solution is clearly address the existing problems.
  3. The goals and objectives of the proposal should be clear and outcome-based
  4. It should contains the list of benefits
  5. Proposed solution or proposed idea should be defined clearly.

What are the types of proposal?

  1. Solicited Proposal. It is when a client request for a proposal. A client may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) or may ask verbally.
  2. Unsolicited Proposal. You send a proposal without any invitation for the purpose of obtaing a contract or a job from client.

What are the contents of Proposal?

• Objectives
It should states the objectives of the proposed project or ideas.

• Background
It should provides background of the study such as the problem being solved.

• Benefits
It should contains the benefits of he proposed solution to the problem or benefits of the implementation of the proposal.

• Plan and Actions
It should provides the action to be taken in order to implement the proposed project or proposed solution.

• Team or Management
It should provides the people who will behind the proposed project. It includes the qualitification of the people involves in the proposal as well as their training and experiences.

• Cost or Financial Budget needed
It should includes the cost of the proposed project. It can include the cost analysis benefits.

• Appendix
It should contains the supporting information for the proposal.

What is Proposal

Proposal is a communication which sells an idea, concept, piece of equipment or furniture, complex system and a service or anything else. A memorandum is also consider a proposal if contains a purchase of anything or suggesting a more effective system for the use of the company.

Also, a proposal defines a problem which has a purpose of solving it.  The suggested solution will be the proposal. It should convince the reader or panel that the proposed undertaking is feasible or superior to those submitted by competitors in cases of public biddings.

A proposal is also consider a sales tool since it should convinces the prospective client or customer to invest their money in the proposed product, idea or services.

There are two types of proposal including solicited and unsolicited proposal.  If the proposal is answering an invitation to bid it is called solicited proposal.  Many proposals are written in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a government or non profit agency.  Some small and medium sized businesses are now give out RFPs to fulfill their needs for best products and services.

When writing a proposal, it usually states the purpose as well as the background information of why you are proposing your suggestion and then state the solution to the problem.  Also, provide the cost that involves in your proposal and end up with the conclusion by restating the problem and the proposal solution.

Proposal Checklist

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.

Sample Objectives for the Home Appliances and Light Automation with SMS Proposal

The study aims to develop wireless operation of lighting and home appliances through the computer system and the SMS.

The proposed study has the following objectives:

  • – to develop a system that would help the user to monitor their home lights and appliances
  • – to develop software that would automatically switch ON/OFF lights and appliances
  • – to develop software that would provide adequate switching capabilities
  • – to design a system that would provide security and convenience
  • – to develop a system that would automatically shut off the computer system through SMS.

Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is a document written to show the justification of a proposed policy, product, service, or other charges in an organization. Prompted by ideas suggested in a proposal, it examines details such as costs, alternative and likely effects.

A feasibility study can be in-house (for decision makers in an organization) or external (requested by clients from outside the organization)

Characteristics of a Feasibility Study

1. A feasibility study is always solicited.
2. It always assumes one of these two patterns of organization:
a. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of one course of action, product or idea.
b. A comparison of two or more courses of action, product or idea.
3. It is always intended to help managers and other decision makers vote for or against an idea or select many other alternatives.
4. It usually helps the reader to make a decision.
5. It is often preceded by a proposal.
6. It saves capital, time and effort.

Kinds and Classification of Proposal

Kinds of Proposals

  1. Technical Proposal – solves a technical problem.
  2. Management Proposal – explains the 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. Cost Proposal – gives a detailed breakdown of the cost in terms of labor and materials.

Classification of Proposal

1. Solicited Proposal – requested by a client or a customer, invitation to bid ( bid request, purchase request or request for proposals)

a) Government Agency – Invitation to bid – the agency gives the exact specifications for the product or service it is seeking.

b) Request for Proposal (RFP) indicates that it has a problem for which it would like the bidder to propose a solution or solutions.

2. Unsolicited Proposal – 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.

Definition of Proposal

What is Proposal?

  • Attempts to sell an idea, concept, an equipment, a complex system, a service or anything else.
  • Can be used as sales tool
  • Define a problem and means to solve it.
  • Designed to convince a client that the company or organization handling the proposal is better qualified to supply a desired product or services than are all the other companies submitting proposals.
  • It is a brief or a very short report written by a single author or a team of writers. It is factual, objective, logical and clear. It precedes the feasibility study.