Website RFP- A New Project Proposal

There is a lot of information about how a Web Design and Development company will handle a project once it is awarded, but I thought it would be a good idea to write a brief overview of the entire process from an organizational perspective.

1. Identify your Goals

While every organization handles this differently, it is important to identify your Marketing, Content and Technical Requirements for any new Web Design and Development project. This will most likely involve getting a number of people from your organization together in a room for several internal discovery meetings and putting together a list of needs and requirements. They might include your overall branding and messaging goals, ideas from competitors or even unrelated companies that you would like to incorporate, and the technical specifications of your infrastructure.

2. Find a Qualified Web Design and Development Firm

Again, this is handled differently depending on your current situation. Many organizations issue a Web Design and Development Request for Proposal, or if they have a short list of vendors they would like to work with, they send a request to those firms and have phones calls and meetings about their requirements. Whether or not you issue a formal, public Request for Proposal, it is a good idea to write down your requirements and goals in a clear format that any vendor can understand.

You will most likely get a slew of proposals with varying solutions and budget ranges. If you don’t have an in house ‘expert’ on all things technical, you might consider bringing in a consultant to help you make a decision. Many times, however, bringing the top 3-4 companies in for interviews will allow you to quickly discover who you have the best chemistry with and who is the most passionate about doing the work you need them to do.

3. Discovery with the Web Development Firm

Just like you did a Discovery process within your organization, it is now time to give the Web Design firm all the information they need to do their jobs. Even though your Request for Proposal was detailed, make sure you leave no stone unturned. There are a million ways to interpret some aspects and the sooner you iron out the details the smoother things will go in the Development phase of the project.

4. Design and Content Development

After both parties feel they have all the information they need to proceed with the project, the firm will start both the Graphic and Technical Design of the Web site. Many times you will work with them on developing content for the site as well, but some times the messaging and content writing is done in house.

For the Interface and Graphic Design, expect to see a series of initial ‘comps’ or concepts for the home page and perhaps a few other pages. This will help you narrow down the overall look and feel of the finished product and you will go through a series of revisions to get things perfect.

For the Technical aspect of the Web site and System, expect to see a specifications document that outlines any functional work flow or database mapping that needs to occur. If you have internal systems or third-party applications that need to tie into the new Web site, expect to see a more detailed explanation of how those systems will fit together.

There are times when you need to do some initial usability testing with these designs. Even though the Web site is not functioning or even built at this point, in order to get some feedback on the approach you are about to build, a lot of organizations will do some basic testing with simple screen sho 1ff8 ts. This can be very helpful if you are building a complex application that has many possible solutions.

You should expect to sign off on all of these items before you proceed to the next phase of the process.

5. Development of the Web site

After the Design and Content Development is complete, the Web Design and Development company has all that they need to create and build the Web site. You should expect regular updates on their progress and depending on the length and complexity of the system, there will be a series of test releases, usually named “alpha” and “beta” or something like that. These releases are not finished products but give you, the client an opportunity to see the work in progress. It’s also an invaluable tool to let you see that everything is on track and according to your original requirements.

6. Testing (Usability and Quality Assurance)

After the “beta” release of the site, it should be fully-functioning but not yet publicly available. At this time you might do some usability testing to get some final feedback, though the major changes and development work is behind you at this point. You are looking for the last few minor issues and graphic or content tweaks at this point.

7. Final Revisions

The final changes are made after testing is complete and the Web site files are readied for a public launch. Chances are the other marketing initiatives you’ve scheduled to coincide with your new Web site launch are ready to go at this point. All you need to do is say the word “go” and this long yet rewarding process will be complete.

8. Launch

With everything prepared, your Web Design and Development firm, working in conjunction with your IT or Web infrastructure team will move the correct files, databases, third party applications, and everything else that is necessary to publicly launch your Web site to the correct place and your new Web site is now publicly available. Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off.

9. Follow up

This seems pretty straightforward, but a follow up or post-game meeting with your vendor is a necessary step in this process. Figure out what went well during this process and what could be improved for next time. Chances are you won’t do a major release again for another few years, but there will most likely be minor releases and the more you can work together to share information and learn about what works well and what doesn’t the better this process will go in the future.

I hope this helps you, and best of luck with your next project.

Author: Greg Kihlstrom

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Many businesses and organizations use a request-for-proposal (RFP) format to receive bids for work or goods that they wish to purchase. By using this proven RFP template below, you can become more successful at proposal writing and win more bBecause RFP writing can be challenging and time-consuming, many businesses either don’t participate in the bid process or they don’t write bids that win. Proposal writing is a combination of science and art: you need to follow guidelines or a template (the science) and you need to write a compelling and persuasive bid (the art).

First, recognize that there are a number of different methods used for bids or tenders: request for expressions of interest (RFEIP), request for proposal (RFP), request for qualification (RFQ), request for information (RFI), and request for technical specifications (RFTS). These requests are typically used by all levels of government; hospitals; schools, universities and colleges; and a number of organizations (typically larger organizations such as banking institutions, utility companies, and so on). Often the value of the ‘buy’ dictates whether or not the request for proposal or bid process will be used (for example, no one is putting out a request for proposal for a roll of toilet paper, but if the request is to supply the whole hospital with toilet paper, it is likely to be purchased through the RFP process).

Then, before you begin writing your response to the RFP, review the request for proposal and ensure that you want to bid for it; I’ve known clients that have got all the way to the end of proposal writing and then decided the RFP wasn’t a good fit for them or that the bid was too big, too small, not right. Develop your own bid or no-bid criteria and assess each RFP or other requests (RFEIP, RFQ, RFI, RFTS) before you begin the work of writing proposals.

This RFP template provides an outline of how to write a proposal: (Note: this is for a common type of RFP; there are many variations)

The typical bid package or documents will include:

• A project or goods overview or summary, including specifications, quantity, time frame and/or other details required for the proposal;
• A due date for the bid and for the work to be done or the goods delivered;
• If applicable, the vendors meeting schedule (usually provided if the specifications are complex and need to be discussed);
• Buyer’s contact name, phone number, address and/or email address for delivery of the bid;
• Attachments as necessary: which often include payment terms and conditions, legal and insurance requirements, other related information;
• The package will also include management and technical requirements and expectations for the bid;
• The bid documents should also include a contact if questions are allowed (recognize that most times, questions and answers are posted for all respondents to see - be careful what you ‘give away’ to your competitors in your questions).

Your proposal needs to include:

Your Qualifications: Consider whether you have the necessary qualifications and experience for the proposal; if not, consider an alliance or partnership with another vendor or consider subcontracting parts of the bid. Make sure that with either scenario (partnership or subcontracting) that you control the service and the product: your reputation is on the line.

• In your qualifications, make sure you include a description of who will be working 1ff8 on the project and why your company is uniquely qualified to deliver the product. Provide individual or corporate resumes and biographies if appropriate and necessary.
• Your References: References should answer the question; Why should you get this bid? What is better and/or unique about your service and/or product - compared to your competition? Your references need to be carefully selected and you must contact those people you use as a reference in advance to ensure that they are willing to be your reference (I recommend asking for a reference (written if possible, plus contact information) well ahead of the need for one). Read the bid requirements carefully; some bids will limit the number and type of references you can provide. Try to use references for similar types of bids; if you do not have any, then ensure that you write the connection between your experience and the work you’re bidding on (that is, what are transferable skills from your experiences).
• Your Solution: In this section, present your unique solution; the one that differentiates your proposal from others. Also, define your understanding of their request and how you plan to address their needs. Your service or product positioning must be clearly written. Make sure that your solution indicates to the buyer that you understand their problem, their market and that you can deliver the best solution.
• Your Price or Fee: Consider pricing strategies that are specific to your bid. The lowest price is not the one that wins - all the time. If you need to buy materials as soon as you are awarded the contract, write your bid to include progressive payments. You might want to show what the price includes, for example, 5 days on market survey design and launch; 5 days on survey tabulation and focus groups, etc. Your payment terms must be clearly identified and easy to understand (and not in conflict with any terms in the request for proposal). Build a cancellation clause into your bid: for acts above and beyond your control (earthquake, floods, fire, etc.) - have a lawyer review your clause and then use that as a standard clause on each proposal that you write. Build a price escalation clause for long term projects; you might want to tie the price escalation clause to inflation or to your projected cost increases.
• There are always administrative details to review; make sure you take the time to read them carefully and if you do not agree or cannot comply, then address the issue in your bid. Do not leave any sections or questions unanswered in your bid: you will score zero on that answer in the evaluation process (which usually ‘marks’ the answers in each section).

Once the bid or tender is awarded, and if you were not the winner, ask for a debrief or review: you want to find out why you didn’t win the bid and you want to apply the lessons learned in the debrief on your next bid. Learning how to write an RFP, specifically how to write winning bids, becomes easier the more bids that you write. Once you’ve developed this RFP template into your own template for your business, you will find that writing proposals is faster, more effective and more successful. The goal is to write winning proposals.

Author: Kris Bovay

Governmen RFP & Solicitation Tips

Many RFP and solicitation writing services merely help write the response. However, hiring someone that also can write to prevent a bid protest can be value added to your cost. When you decide to hire a solicitation writing consulting … Government RFPs and solicitations have short deadlines. You must read them carefully and develop a checklist to follow. If you are considering hiring a proposal writing consultant, ensure that they not only understand how to write.

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Proposal writing samples or examples you find in a web search seem to offer a quick and easy way to prepare a proposal. This is particularly true if you are new to the job or are not familiar with how to approach the task.

You can find plenty of samples and examples on the Internet. Many universities offer samples to help you. You should be able to find samples for scientific research, grant, book, or job proposals.

While each of these disciplines requires many components in common, each focuses on rather different ways of approaching the writing assignment. The amount, type, and structure of the content can vary significantly.

Business proposal writing involves more than creating or copying a format or an outlineto be successful.

When reviewing the samples you find on the Internet, also consider the following tips:

1. Compare the samples or examples to see how closely they align with your business. The format and content must reflect the needs of your client’s RFP and the products or services you offer.

For example, the sample might suggest a section where you could talk about free samples or trial offers. If you sell nuclear generators, this section definitely does not apply.

2. Check the credibility of the source.

For example, the source may bring outstanding credentials in sales or graphic knowledge but fall short in correct and effective business writing.

3. Include employees or partners from across disciplines to proofread your drafts and final documents multiple times.

Always include representatives from sales, marketing, customer service, finance, legal, engineering, manufacturing, and production as members of your proofreading team. Each brings specific knowledge and experience that could spot serious roadblocks to submitting a successful document.

Spotting these errors early in the creation of your proposal allows time to correct or improve your submission.

4. Study the RFP as a guide on how to structure or format your proposal. Many times, the originator of the RFP requires bidders to follow a specific structure or format. And, they will clearly spell that out in the RFP.

If they don’t, you can follow the format of the RFP as your outline when writing your proposal. In some instances, you can use the Headers from the RFP as your outline.

HINT: Pay special attention to the order in which the Headers appear. They indicate what is important to the client and how the client will review your submission.

5. Develop a strong business relationship with the organization requesting the proposal. Developing that relationship, either in person or on the phone, can yield valuable insights into what the client wants, needs, and expects. This can include information you might not find in proposal writing samples.

6. Always request a post-selection meeting or review. This is particularly true if you are not awarded the contract or order. These meetings or reviews can reveal valuable information about formatting, structure, or approach you might not have found in the proposal samples.

Proposal writing samples are helpful. But your clients many times offer more and better information about what your proposal should look like or how it should be structured.

Author: Al Borowski

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There are two main reasons to write a business proposal. Either someone has invited you to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP); or you are trying to gain support or funding from your employer or another organization.

When drafting a proposal the most important thing to keep in mind is that the reader is looking for benefits; they want to know how your product, service, or idea adds value to their operation. Therefore your proposal must be well-written and it also must clearly indicate how you can fulfill a current need.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your proposal:

1.Make the proposal about your customer. A proposal is not the time to tell about your mission, your locations, or how long you have been in business. Instead you should state how these (or any other) aspects benefit your client.

2. Show and don’t tell. Do not tell your prospect what you can do for them, but show them using clear examples. Avoid unsubstantiated hype like ‘best value’, ‘low risk’, and ‘cutting edge’; unless you are willing to prove it.

3. Be careful not to include irrelevant information. If you are making the proposal about the reader, and showing instead of telling, then you should have no problem with this.

4. If you are responding to a RFP, read the request more than once. You want to ensure that you completely grasp the requirements.

5. Show your creditability. Who have you worked with before? How did you help them and how does that relate to the company you are submitting this proposal to?

6. Watch your language. It is very important to make sure your proposal is politically correct. Additionally, you want to avoid jargon unless it is commonly known in the field you are targeting. Also, avoid writing in passive voice.

7. Include samples if it is appropriate. This is a great way to show that you are capable of handling the job.

8. Be specific. State your time frame for completing the project and your rates (if applicable). This will help eliminate differences in expectations.

9. Above all, if you are a poor writer, seek assistance. Proposal writing is time-consuming and it requires a certain amount of skill.

Author: DJ Nelson

When Is it time to optimize your Business Proposals? « Proposal

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Here’s the situation: a potential client asks you for a proposal for services or products in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ), but where do you start?If you have never written a business proposal before, this can be a daunting task.However, by using a logical document format, you can develop a quality proposal that will maximise the chances of it being accepted.Then you’ll discover that you can repeat the same formula for any subsequent proposals.

This article recommends and details the minimum content areas that you should address in a business proposal.In this case, we assume that there is no formal document structure requested by your client - so it is for you to decide on the form of the proposal.

Your Aim

Before you start writing any proposal, you must consider your aim - to make a sale of your goods and or services.Two of the major issues considered by your client in deciding whether to accept your proposal are whether, in their opinion, you understand their business needs; and that you can deliver what you promise.You must continually refer to these two fundamental questions when you write your proposal.Referring back to these issues also helps you with developing the content of your proposal.

Proposal Contents

Any business proposal should contain the following areas:

• Scope of Work - this requires you to provide an overview of your services or products that will meet their business needs.The client’s needs are obtained from a Brief that may range from a formal written document through to a verbal conversation.You need to provide the client with the confidence that you understand their business needs and demonstrate how your products or services meet them.
• Project Approach - in this section, you need to provide some explanation about how you are going to approach the work.This builds more confidence for your client, as they read what you are doing (Scope of Work), along with evidence that you have actually thought about and planned the work.
• Past Experience - you should provide details of previous engagements in which you have delivered similar products or services.It is also helpful to include personal references, should the client wish to verify them.The purpose of this is to give the client some measure of how mature and experienced you are in delivering the services or products you are offering.
• Project Team - you should always detail the specific people you intend to use during the engagement, along with their background, skills and experience.It is also useful to include a resum or CV for each person.You should also mention who will be the main point of contact in your organisation for this project.
• Timeline and Milestones - this section should illustrate the tasks or products to be provided, each with a corresponding planned delivery date.For larger engagements, milestones can be used to serve as control checkpoints for the client or payment points for you (further discussed below).The timeline can be presented in tabular form, or if more complex, you can use a Gantt chart.
• Progress Reports and Meetings - to foster good communications and to maintain a healthy relationship with the client, you should suggest the forms and frequency of progress reports and meetings.Examples of this could include providing weekly email updates, formal written reports, or monthly face-to-face meetings.
• Resources and Materials Provided by the Client - if you need the client to provide you with any facilities or resources for your use or access, you need to state them here.Examples could be provision of a computer workstation or access to their computer systems whilst you are working on their site, or access to the client’s key staff at certain points of the engagement.
• Assumptions - if there are any other assumptions that you have made in preparing your proposal, you should include them here.The point of this is to minimise any misunderstandings you may have with the client after they give you the approval to proceed with the engagement. For example, you will not be happy if your client asks for a task that you assumed was outside the scope of the project, but never stated.
• Cost and Payment Schedule - the cost of your proposal can be expressed either in a lump sum or on a time and materials basis.You will need to provide visibility of your hourly rates if you are charging on a time and materials basis.If it is appropriate, or if the client desires, you can suggest to be paid according to certain project deliverables that are stated in the Timelines and Milestones section.In this case, you can align the relevant Milestones against appropriate payment amounts.If the engagement is on a time and materials basis, then you can align payments with deliverables or request that payments be made periodically such as fortnightly or monthly.
• Terms of Agreement - if you have any contract terms that you wish to apply to the agreement, they should be included here.These could include anything from ownership of IP through to payment terms.You can use the services of a lawyer to help you develop these terms if required.

The above areas are the recommended minimum contents of any business proposal in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ).Used systematically, this can guide can help 1ff8 you to develop and refine the format of your proposals.It allows you to breakdown the task of proposal writing into relevant sections, allowing you to focus on the all-important technical content.

When writing a proposal, always remember that you are trying to provide a prospective client with the confidence that you know your products and services, and are experienced in delivering them. Writing your proposals using this format will help you to develop quality proposals and maximise the chances of them being accepted.

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A company that is looking to get bids from several qualified vendors for a Web site design or development project will typically write a Request for Proposal (RFP) and either post it online or send it directly to potential vendors it has identified.

As with any complex project, a Web site design project requires clear communication between the client and web developer in order for the client to receive accurate bids. The RFP serves as a baseline of project requirements on which competing vendors may price their services. I have outlined a few items below that should typically be in a Website Design and Development Request for Proposal, though some times more information is necessary.

Writing your Request for Proposal

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process allows potential vendors to get an idea of your goals, existing challenges and possible limitations without lengthy phone discussions or in-person meetings that can severely impact the amount of time it takes for you to get started with your Web Design and Development project. It allows you to succinctly describe exactly what you are looking for and what a potential vendor should expect in the project.

An ideal RFP would clearly specify all the requirements pertaining to your website. It would allow the developer to present you with a proposal based your particular needs and, needless to say, the more details your RFP contains, the more accurate a proposal the developer is able to present.

Components of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Web site Design and Development Project:

Project Background Information

• Brief overview of your organization, including some history and your primary business objectives.
• Detailed description of the project you would like to receive the proposal for.
• If your budget requirements are strict, it might help to include a ‘Ballpark’ Budget - which developers can use to scope and scale your solution and save you time.
• Target launch date and required deliverable dates - include any dates that you need the project to meet. Are there crucial meetings and cut-off dates that the developer should be aware of? If you are not sure what the time frame should be, it’s okay to see what the proposals you receive recommend and renegotiate. It’s also good to anticipate and state how flexible you are with the project’s completion date.

Marketing Requirements and Data

• Audience demographics - who will be the main users of your site? Are there several different audiences that need to be addressed?
• User comfort level with technology - how technically savvy is your audience? Will they know how to deal with plug-ins, for example?
• Will users have high-speed connections, or will many be on modems?
• Audience base - how large do you expect your user base to be?

Design and Corporate Branding Requirements

• Do you have corporate identity guidelines that must be followed, including fonts and colors and graphic treatments?
• What look and feel to you envision for the Web site? Include some adjectives to describe what your site should communicate.
• Provide examples of Web sites that relate to the 1ff8 RFP either because they have a similar feel to the one your are looking for, or even examples of what you do NOT want.
• Will there be any animated elements (i.e. Flash animations)? How many? How are they going to be used?

Technical and Infrastructure Requirements

• Web hosting considerations. Do you currently have a Web host or are you looking for a new one to handle this project?
• Browser/platform considerations. Generally speaking, a Web site for consumers or the general public should work similarly across all modern browsers and Operating Systems. If you are targeting a very specific audience it is possible your needs are different.
• Development platform requirements. Do you require an Open Source solution, are you open to a proprietary solution that is more tailored to your exact needs, etc.
• Coding language requirements (e.g. ASP.NET, PHP, Java). Many times this depends on the type of Web hosting platform or any pre-existing software you may have.
• Are there third party applications you’d like to incorporate?

Functionality/programming Requirements

• Will there be forms on the site? If so, how many? How should they be handled? (e.g. e-mailed to recipients, stored in a database, etc.)
• Will the site require tools to manage content/information (e.g. ability for staff to add content such as press releases or quarterly reports)?
• Will there be any e-commerce on the site? If so, who will be entering data on products offered? How will transactions be managed?
• Are there any other interactive features the site should have? What are they, and how do you envision them to work?

Search Engine Optimization

• Describe any currently defined search engine friendly production requirements and expectations
• Indicate if you are seeking SEO/SEM consultation services

Ongoing Site Maintenance Plans

• How often will the site be updated? Are you looking for a retainer situation, or ‘on-demand’ hourly work?
• Will you be self-maintaining or will you be outsourcing maintenance services?

Project Management

• Who will be the main point of contact on your staff? Keep in mind that in most cases it is easiest to have a single point of contact at both your organization and the company designing and developing your Web site.
• How will the tasks be divided between you and the developer in order to complete the project?
• Are there any third parties (subcontractors, etc.) that will also be involved in the project?

RFP Response Deadline and Contact Information

• When is the response to the RFP due?
• To whom should the response be sent?
• Do you prefer E-mail or hard copies, and if so, how many hard copies?
• Is there a specific solicitation number that needs to be referenced in the Proposal Document?
• What is the RFP review process? How long do you anticipate to take to make your decision before the project can begin?

Some Additional Thoughts Before You Begin:

• For all items listed above, be sure to clearly indicate if you must have any item(s) bid as an optional aspect of the project. Keep in mind possible dependencies between project aspect/components that may make this impractical.
• Before writing your Request For Proposal, determine your budget for the project and, beyond that, your priorities for selecting a Developer who can meet your budgetary requirements.

Writing an RFP is a good exercise for anyone thinking about a site design or redesign as it takes thoughtful planning to specify and construct a website. A well thought out, quality RFP is essential to a successful endeavor because it helps you to focus on your goals and exactly how to achieve them.

Best of luck with your Web site Design and Development Project

Author: Greg Kihlstrom

Proposal Management Services & Solutions

Our proposal management solutions allow you to rapidly produce, view, send and track your quotes and proposals. … Our Competitive Edge · Custom Website Design · Web Applications · Dedicated Resources · Search Engine Optimization.

Proposal for design.drupal.org

I know “make drupal.org not suck” is an order of magnitude more effort above simply “make a website with ratings on it” but it worries me that we might see our efforts forked here. Are there ways that frustrations with the existing tools … Yet we’ve seen the larger development community’s “IQ” regarding user experience considerations /dramatically/ increase as a direct result of UX team members reviewing patches and chiming in on issues. So.

Request for Proposal (RFP) Database Blog

The Request for Proposal Database (RFPdb) facilitates the exchange of RFPs between organizations and contracting firms. Whether you are looking for sample RFPs, a place to publicize your RFP, or RFP opportunities to bid on.

How to Write a Website Design RFP | Reno SEO, Web Design

We’ve seen our fair share of RFPs (Request For Proposal) and it seems as if all of them miss one or more important elements. Elements that we, the web design. … Project Pricing. This should include a detailed outline of all costs, both one-time and recurring, for the website redesign and development project.

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You don’t have to be a highly-degreed, professional writer to write winning grants (although it does allow you to use the English lexicon to its fullest potential). Nor you need to use a lot of bid words, when writing one. Surprisingly, grant proposals and RFP’s (request for proposals) that are written in plain English have higher approval ratings than ones that are filled with technical, “Harvard” words.

The reason for this is because grant proposals and RPF’s that are written this way possess a human voice and fell to them, making your proposals more interesting to the members of the approval board of each grant program. You see, most members of the grant approval boards are people just like you. Heck, some of them didn’t even set foot on the grounds of a college!

When they see your plain written grant proposal, it’s like you’re right next to them, killing them softly with your words…sharing a part of your life with them. That’s not to say that this will guarantee that your proposal will be approved, but it will evoke some level of feeling into those who read it.

Ok, the question for this article is how to write a winning grant proposal? We’ve explored the importance of people writing plain-talk grant plans. Now, we will explore other tips on how to get the money you and/or business deserve.

Before you even write your RFP, or grant proposal, you should know how much money to ask for, say exactly what the money will be used for, and when you need the money. Although this maybe tough at first, you should sit down with and list each detail. Failure to mentions any of these ideas will get your proposal denied. Grant review members want to see clear, concise, and well-though out grants.

• When the proposal is finished (actually before it’s completed), do a considerable amount of research, on the grant program and the board that will review them. This especially goes for spelling the name of the grant program, the address of the grant program’s locations, and even the name(s) of the person(s) who receive them.
• The grant plans should be well organized and easy to read. This include free of all grammatical errors (spelling, sentence structure, etc.) When a person on the grant appropriations board look at your proposal, or your RFP, they expected it to be clear, concise, and well organized.
• Never write a plan with the purpose of only getting money for yourself or your company. In your plan, include how the money will benefit those who are in your family or community. Doing this will give your plan more appeal and will increase the odds of getting it approved.

Author: J. Vincent Burr

Results-Oriented Business Writing on 12 CD-ROMs

Planning; write the Executive Summary CD-ROM 11 - WRITING PROPOSALS (2 hours) 1. Why write proposals? The proposal genre 2. Issues and opportunities. Determine status CD-ROM 12 - WRITING BUSINESS PLANS (2 hours).

General Format for a Business Dissertation

Ma-Dissertations.com provides guide graduate students on how to write dissertations, theses, literature reviews, and research proposals. … If you need any assistance in writing your business dissertation, you may contact our reps and request for a writing service. But for the purpose of teaching you how to compose a business dissertation, let us simply enumerate the necessary parts of a generic thesis. Introduction-the introductory background of the entire research.

Signs that business proposal writing

A proposal makes your organization visibility in your invisibility. Therefore, you need to handle your proposal writing with care and spare enough time to slice the gap of a winning business proposal and an also ran business proposal.

What are the best types of Business Proposal

eIntelli’s eProposal online business proposal writing software is one such software which allows you to make a proposal within fraction of time. It’s feature of business intelligent helps you to complete the communication loop.

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Proposal writing samples or examples you find in a web search seem to offer a quick and easy way to prepare a proposal. This is particularly true if you are new to the job or are not familiar with how to approach the task.

You can find plenty of samples and examples on the Internet. Many universities offer samples to help you. You should be able to find samples for scientific research, grant, book, or job proposals.

While each of these disciplines requires many components in common, each focuses on rather different ways of approaching the writing assignment. The amount, type, and structure of the content can vary significantly.

Business proposal writing involves more than creating or copying a format or an outline to be successful.

When reviewing the samples you find on the Internet, also consider the following tips:

1. Compare the samples or examples to see how closely they align with your business. The format and content must reflect the needs of your client’s RFP and the products or services you offer.

For example, the sample might suggest a section where you could talk about free samples or trial offers. If you sell nuclear generators, this section definitely does not apply.

2. Check the credibility of the source.

For example, the source may bring outstanding credentials in sales or graphic knowledge but fall short in correct and effective business writing.

3. Include employees or partners from across disciplines to proofread your drafts and final documents multiple times.

Always include representatives from sales, marketing, customer service, finance, legal, engineering, manufacturing, and production as members of your proofreading team. Each brings specific knowledge and experience that could spot serious roadblocks to submitting a successful document.

Spotting these errors early in the creation of your proposal allows time to correct or improve your submission.

4. Study the RFP as a guide on how to structure or format your proposal. Many times, the originator of the RFP requires bidders to follow a specific structure or format. And, they will clearly spell that out in the RFP.

If they don’t, you can follow the format of the RFP as your outline when writing your proposal. In some instances, you can use the Headers from the RFP as your outline.

HINT: Pay special attention to the order in which the Headers appear. They indicate what is important to the client and how the client will review your submission.

5. Develop a strong business relationship with the organization requesting the proposal. Developing that relationship, either in person or on the phone, can yield valuable insights into what the client wants, needs, and expects. This can include information you might not find in proposal writing samples.

6. Always request a post-selection meeting or review. This is particularly true if you are not awarded the contract or order. These meetings or reviews can reveal valuable information about formatting, structure, or approach you might not have found in the proposal samples.

Proposal writing samples are helpful. But your clients many times offer more and better information about what your proposal should look like or how it should be structured.

Author: Al Borowski

Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland Proposal Writing Book

Order online and get free shipping on our bestselling proposal writing book sets. With helpful insight and sample proposals, our popular proposal writing sets give valuable advantages to grantseekers.

Proposal Writing

Tips for writing a Request for Proposal (RFP). Und… Word Tip - Use Edit / Paste Special to paste text … Checklist - to ensure that your Business Case is c… working on process design templates for klariti.co.

Grant Writing Tips How to Write a Successful Proposal

You send out a proposal for a grant to see that your project kicks off. But your grant proposal is the key to getting it sanctioned and it has to be written in the best way possible. You will need those grant writing tips!

Online Writing Help

This time, you will no longer have to be concerned of how to write a research proposal again. Do you need further assistance? You can first take a look at the thesis examples that we have in our database.

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The task of understanding and interpreting a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Tender (RFT) for the procurement of goods or services can be daunting for companies that have not had much exposure to this sort of procurement method.You may have read through hundreds of pieces of paper a few times and still be trying to work out what is being requested, and what you actually need to send back in your proposal or bid.The layout and language used in an RFP/ RFT document can often be confusing or ambiguous.It may be difficult for you to understand why certain documents are included and also difficult to even decipher the actual technical products or services being requested. So how do you go about understanding and interpreting a RFP/ RFT document for you to appropriately plan your bid or response?

Unfortunately, there is no standard formula for how a company issuing a RFP/ RFT constructs their document.However, we have outlined some general themes and features that should be present in any RFP/ RFT that you need to look for to help you assemble your response.We have also provided some of the reasons why these features are included and what they should mean to you as a responder.Given that the use of RFP’s and RFT’s are used in many domains, this article is equally applicable to a variety of industries such as information technology (IT), business products or services, or construction and engineering products and services.

A typical RFP/ RFT package could include the following components:

• Summary information that outlines the products or services being called for, and the general information such as closing dates and time, and place that the bid is to be lodged
• General Conditions of tender that detail the overarching conditions, such as:
• Tendering or bidding conditions - these are normally a stock-standard set of conditions imposed by the requesting organization that details the conditions to which you must comply in placing a bid.They can include the specified tender validity period, their right to negotiate, their right to accept or reject bids, the required tender format and the tender’s timings, ownership of the tender documents, just to name a few.
• Evaluation criteria - these are the areas that your response will be assessed against.There will be a list of technical areas and financial and pricing requirements.Generally, you will see criteria that loosely match against the response schedules.Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see what weightings these criteria are assigned in the overall evaluation.
• The “Brief” or Specifications that detail the scope of work required to be met in your submission.This could include:

• A description of the products or services required
• Business and Technical Requirements, or Systems Requirements Specifications, particularly if it is an IT project
• Analysis and design requirements
• Warranty requirements
• Operations and support requirements
• User training requirements
• Testing and implementation requirements
• Project timeline that indicates the required timing of the project, if you were successful
• Design or location drawings, if there is any physical construction or equipment required
• General or standard specifications that must be complied with, such as national or industry standards (e.g. building standards), or specifications that are always used by a company (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety, and Quality Systems specifications)

• Attachments or Appendices that may provide additional information but do not fit easily into the company’s standard terms or format of the tender documents
• Draft Contract or Agreement intended to be used should your proposal be selected
• Response Schedules that allow you to respond to the requirements of the tender.Typical response schedules could match either the terms stated in General Conditions of tender or the Specifications.You could expect to see Schedules such as:

• Solution description or a description of your proposal, which requires you to provide an overview of your services or products, and how you are going to implement or apply them to the project
• Staff and project team structure you intend to use during the engagement, and their background, skills and experience
• Past performance of your company in similar projects, along with references
• Specification Compliance Schedules for you to indicate how your products and services comply with the Specifications of the tender
• Response to the draft Contract terms, which should contain your comments or changes to the agreement for consideration
• Financial information regarding your company, which could include recent profit and loss statements
• Cost of your proposal, which will either be in lump sum or time and materials basis
• Alternatives offered, which allows you to detail any options you consider to be of better value, but may not meet all of the requirements

Described above are of some of the main features of a RFP/ RFT document, which can help you interpret what is required for a tender response.So before you start writing your next response, try to identify the location of this information in the RFP/ RFT document.This should allow you to understand the requirements, and effectively plan your approach to writing your bid or response.

Author: Samantha Yee

Request for Proposal (RFP) Template

A Request for Proposal (referred to as RFP) is an invitation for suppliers, often through a bidding process, to submit a proposal on a specific commodity or service. A bidding process is one of the best methods for leveraging.

Request for Proposal (RFP) Database Blog: The RFP Database

The Request for Proposal Database (RFPdb) facilitates the exchange of RFPs between organizations and contracting firms. Whether you are looking for sample RFPs, a place to publicize your RFP, or RFP opportunities to bid on.

The Confluent Forms blog: 6 steps to writing a better Request

6 steps to writing a better Request for Proposals, a primer. I believe strongly in Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as a tool for companies to find the best products and services at competitive prices, but also as an evaluation method … Defining your project as best you can will enable you to pass that information on to potential vendors, but also receive proposals that are tailored to your needs (pricing and project plans) by vendors who understand the project.

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Business in the new millennium means fierce competition, aggressive marketing and strategic alliances. The extent to which a business succeeds or fails often depends upon that business’s ability to be awarded contracts or to attract other businesses into Joint Ventures or strategic alliances. To accomplish either one usually requires two key items: good ideas and the ability to present those good ideas in a superbly developed business proposal.

Business proposals are developed for one of two possible reasons.

(1) A business entity has called for tenders or has invited you to submit a RFP (Request for Proposal). In this case, your goal is to be “short listed,” meaning that you will be one of the three or four bidders who is awarded an interview. Your proposal must stand among possibly dozens of submissions.

(2) You have an idea, concept or project that you want to propose to someone with the goal of gaining support, funding or an alliance. In this case, there is no competitive bidding process. However, your proposal must make a favorable impression and must explain all aspects of your proposed concept clearly and quickly. A document that is vaguely written, difficult to understand or that presents more questions than answers will likely be discarded promptly.

The following eleven tips are guidelines that I keep in mind when I develop a business proposal for a client of my writing service:

Clarity

Before you begin to write the proposal, summarize the concept in 2-3 sentences, then show it to a lay person and check for understanding. If they don’t grasp the basic idea, rewrite until they do. Until you can do this, you are not ready to start writing the proposal. How many times have you received a document that you had to read repeatedly before you comprehended the meaning? When this happens, it may be because your comprehension skills are under- developed, but it’s more likely that the writer substituted clarity of thought and good document structure with sloppy thinking, wordy, rambling explanations, vague descriptions and heavy reliance on buzzwords and jargon. It’s worth saying again: If you can’t summarize it in 2-3 sentences, you are not ready to start writing.

Strive to communicate, not to impress

If you have a good idea and you communicate that idea clearly and effectively, the recipients will be impressed. If you try to baffle them with your brilliance, you’ll lose ground.

Error Free

Your proposal will be competing with proposals prepared by professional writers, graphic designers and desktop publishers. You may not have those resources at your disposal, but you can be fastidious about checking for typing, spelling and grammatical errors. Spell checkers can only go so far; the rest is up to you. Ask someone else to check your document for errors before you submit it, or wait a few days before rereading it. If you have worked on a document intensely, you will “learn” to interpret errors as being correct. It takes a fresh eye to spot the typos.

Print and Bind

Print your document on good quality, heavy-bond paper, using either a laser printer or a good-quality bubble jet. Take it to an office service for backing and binding. For less than $10, you can produce a nicely 1ff8 done, professionally presented package.

Layout

When laying out your document, format it so the body of the text appears in the right two-thirds of the page. The one-third of the page to the left contains titles and white space. The white space to the left allows the reader to make notes. This sounds like a trivial matter, but it elicits positive reactions from recipients.

Visual Elements

Include visual elements sporadically throughout your document. Logos, clip art, graphs, charts, tables and other elements greatly enhance the visual appeal of your document and make it easier for many people to read and comprehend. Pages of pure text are tiring to the eye and a challenge to the attention span. Additionally, many people are visually oriented, meaning the preferred method of learning is through imagery and not text.

Title Page

Begin with a Title Page that includes images (graphics, pictures, etc.), the name of the proposal recipient, the name of the project, your company name and address, the date, and your copyright symbol.

Be Politically Correct

Whether you support political correctness or whether you don’t, the issue here is to avoid offending the people who will receive your proposal document. Avoid any language that can be construed as offensive to any group of people - including women, men, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to visible minorities, senior citizens, and so on. If you’re not certain of correct terminology, consult with someone knowledgeable before submitting your proposal.

Write for Global Audiences

Emerging technologies, immigration policies and agreements like NAFTA have produced a global marketplace. Documents nowadays should be written with the understanding that they may be evaluated by persons living in other countries or by persons for whom English is a second language. Even if you are submitting your proposal to a local business, they may well have joint ventures with international companies, and these companies may be asked to peruse your document. Unless your proposal is local to a specific geographic area, avoid references that would not be understood by persons living in other areas (or explain these references if you must use them). Also, avoid the use of slang or expressions from pop culture. When persons from other cultures study the English language, they are taught to speak formal, correct English. They are often unfamiliar with the use of slang terms.

Jargon Free

Every industry has its own particular “language” - words, terms and expressions that are common to that industry but foreign to people from other industries. Avoid the use of jargon, or if you must use it, explain it. For example, expressions like “branding,” “turnkey solution,” “E-commerce” are not necessarily understood by everyone who is doing business. Also, remember that your proposal may go to a committee that is comprised of people from various walks of life. Make sure they understand what you are talking about.

Technology

What was just said about jargon goes double for technology. If your proposed project involves the use of technologies, be very careful with your explanation. The persons reading the document may have little or no technological background. Therefore, in the body of the proposal, it’s usually recommended that you explain your technology in terms of what it will do - i.e. “A data base that members can use to search for information about your products.” There is a place for detailed information about the technology that you are proposing - and that spot is the appendix. In many cases, a non-technically oriented business will engage a technology consultant to review your proposed technology. This person can use the detailed explanations that you include in the appendix while other readers will be able understand the proposal itself.

Keep these guidelines in mind and you will be off to a good start with your next business proposal!

Author: June Campbell

Proposal Writing

Proposal Writing. Tips and Tutorials for Writing Successful Business Proposals. Monday, June 15, 2009. Wordpress Tips - How to schedule posts and automate your blog. Screenshots http://ping.fm/fEShL. Posted by Ivan Walsh at 7:59 PM

6 Tips for Writing Strong Business Proposals

6 Tips for Writing Strong Business Proposals. Larger customers, like governmental departments and corporate divisions, often require business proposals in writi A written business proposal can be intimidating

6 Tips for Writing Strong Business Proposals

Larger customers, like governmental departments and corporate divisions, often require business proposals in writing for long term and complex contracts. A written business proposal must lay out, in detail, the steps the bidder expects.

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