How to Write a Project Proposal.pptx

For Technical Writing

1. Understanding Project Proposals A Comprehensive Guide

2. What is a Project Proposal? A project proposal is a written document outlining a project’s details and essential information, such as the timeline, budget, scope, objectives, and goals. the project proposal should paint a clear picture of the project, its’ importance.

3. Why is a Project Proposal Important? Cornerstone of pre-project phase. Translates ideas into a concrete plan. Continues as a resource for the project team. Foundation for the project charter and business case.

4. How is a Project Proposal Different from Other Documents? The project proposal is drafted and presented to key stakeholders before the project lifecycle ever begins.

5. Parts of a Project Proposal The project proposal is drafted and presented to key stakeholders before the project lifecycle ever begins.

6. 1. Introduction The introduction of your project proposal provides a quick overview of the project without going into granular detail. While this portion of the proposal is usually under 500 words, it should provide a general roadmap of what you plan to accomplish with some context about the project itself.

7. 2. The Problem The problem portion of your project proposal, also considered the background phase, should detail what problem your project aims to solve while highlighting the significance of this project in comparison to your organization’s unique goals and history.

8. 3. The Solution The solution phase is the time to roll out the details of your project, the advantages that it will bring your organization, and how you plan to make the project successful. Be sure to make clear connections between your project solution and existing company pain points, while highlighting how your project can address them. As you outline the advantages of the project, also include details about potential risks and mitigation strategies.

9. 4. Deliverables & Goals The deliverables and goals segment should clearly outline the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals you have set in place to accomplish key project goals, as well as how those goals relate back to organizational needs. Now is the time to also outline key deliverables, as well as the tentative timeline for them to be delivered.

10. 5. Resources When it comes to project planning, resource management is an essential part of the process. You’ll need to consider a wide variety of resource types: from team members to external contractors, tangible resources (such as software), and financial resources. During this portion of the proposal, you should outline a budget for the project while detailing the resources you will require.

11. Types of Project Proposals 1. Solicited Solicited project proposals are sent in response to a request for a proposal document sent expressing interest in a project or initiative. This type of project proposal is often used to compare proposals from multiple vendors who are both under consideration for a job, which is common in bid-focused industries such as construction.

12. Types of Project Proposals 2. Unsolicited Unsolicited project proposals allow you to bring a new idea to the table to solve a company problem or optimize an existing process. While this type of proposal is not asked for, it gives you a chance to advocate for a new project that might have otherwise been overlooked.

13. Types of Project Proposals 3. Informal An informal project proposal is a simple outline of a project that does not follow the formal format. Informal proposals can come in a variety of formats but ultimately need to be much more succinct than a formal proposal, conveying only the essential details and getting to the point quickly.

14. Types of Project Proposals 4. Renewal A project renewal proposal is common in a circumstance where a project needs to restart again. This type of proposal is typically used to convey the success of a previous project and highlight why similar results can be achieved if a renewal is granted.

15. How to Write a Project Proposal 1. Understand the Problem In order to write a proper proposal, you need to highlight your understanding of the problem and how the project addresses those problems.

16. How to Write a Project Proposal 2. Flush Out the Solution & End goals When writing a proposal, it’s helpful to reverse engineer your thinking to identify your end goals first, working backward to create a plan for making those goals possible.

17. How to Write a Project Proposal 3. Outline Your Deliverables Create a comprehensive list of deliverables that you expect to deliver, considering what order they will need to be delivered in. This stage can also help you flush out task assignments and deadlines as you move into the action phase of the project after stakeholders give the green light.

18. How to Write a Project Proposal 4. Consider Any Obstacles or Challenges Don’t get so caught up in the positives of your project that you forget to consider any risks, obstacles, or challenges you may encounter.

19. How to Write a Project Proposal 5. Create a Plan for Tackling the Project (Schedule/Budget/ Etc ) While the plan itself will likely change after the proposal phase, you need to present a rough idea of the schedule, budget, resources needed, and for larger projects, the phases your project will follow.

20. How to Write a Project Proposal 6. Polish It Up After you’ve drafted your proposal, take the time to step away from it and come back later with fresh eyes to edit. Polish it up by adding in any final details, reformatting any hard-to-read sections, and considering questions that stakeholders may have.