Writing a proposal is a lot like baking cookies. All of us might start with the same basic ingredients. The final product can vary depending on your taste preferences, mixing order and baking time. Sprinkles are also important.
You’ll likely be dealing with the additional pressure of a changing industry that’s affecting your sales process, as well as the pandemic. It’s important to have the right ingredients and nail every project proposal.
What is a Project Proposal?
A project proposal, also known as a business or work proposal, is a document that describes the approach required to implement a solution that meets certain project requirements and constraints.
This document could be the first or only time that a potential client hears from you about your approach to the project. This is your chance to showcase who you are, what achievements you have, and why this project is right for you. A work proposal should be unique and stand out from the rest.
A project proposal is a written commitment to what you will do if you win the contract. Your proposal document should balance selling yourself with clear commitments to budget, scope, timeline, or both.
What should you include in a proposal template
Each situation may require something different. However, it is worth taking the time to prepare a proposal template so that you can quickly create iterations as new requests arise.
These are seven sections that you should include in your project proposal template.
Section 1: Executive summary
The executive summary gives a quick overview about the proposal. In this short introduction, be sure to mention 3 key points.
Describe the problem and show understanding of how it can be solved.
Use your unique abilities to solve the problem.
Thank your potential client for choosing you to submit a proposal.
Consider adding a table or contents to a lengthy proposal if you have one.
Section 2: About
This space can be used to tell the reader about you company. Your mission, values, qualifications, and/or other information should be included. Highlight key team members and their qualifications.
Section 3: Scope & approach
This section is the heart and soul of any project proposal. It’s where you explain the why and how of your plan.
Begin by explaining your understanding of the client’s needs. This is a great area to highlight the things you learned from research or conversations. You can show how your approach will address their growing mobile audience, or how you’ll involve stakeholder voices in the process.
Next, describe the steps and phases you will take to achieve your solution. Make sure you explain each step and why it is part of your solution.
Section 4: Budget
Your budget should include all items requested, as well as any additional options that you may recommend. These should be listed separately so that your potential client can make clear choices.
When preparing your proposal budget, consider whether a fixed amount, an hourly rate or a cost range is the best. It depends on how much information you have about the client and the scope of work involved, and how comfortable and willing you are to take on risk.
You might also want a list of costs that you will need to consider if your budget doesn’t allow for them (e.g. hosting, fonts animation, long-term maintenance).
Section 5: Timeline
It can be difficult to plan your time because you don’t know when the project will actually begin or what resources you’ll have.
This is why I recommend creating a month by month timeline that doesn’t include deliverables and dates. This will allow potential clients to get a clear idea of the duration of the project without having to focus on dates that may be outdated by the time it actually starts.
Many proposals will require dates. In such a case
