Strategies and Tips for Writing a Winning Technical Proposal
By
Silvester Hwenha
Smashwords Edition
****
Published By
Silvester Hwenha on Smashwords
Strategies and Tips for Writing a Winning Technical Proposal
Copyright 2011 by Silvester Hwenha
Smashwords Edition License Notes
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The Technical Proposal Development Process
Step 1: Review the Terms of Reference
Step 2: Develop a Work Schedule
Step 3: Assemble a Winning Team
Step 4: Structure the Technical Proposal
Step 5: Determine the Approach and Methodology
Step 7: Conduct Project Risk Analysis
Step 8: Design a Quality Assurance Plan
Step 9: Consolidate the Technical Proposal
Introduction
Proposal writing is undoubtedly a very critical skill in development consulting. The more experienced you are at writing proposals the higher your chances are of getting work. Writing a winning proposal is the only way to secure business. Simple as this may sound, proposal writing is one of the most challenging tasks in consulting. While it is possible to subcontract this task, in the long-term there are more benefits if you know how to do this yourself.
Luckily, proposal writing is a skill that can be mastered with practice over a period of time. But without considerable help, learning how to write proposals can be a lengthy and frustrating process. During this learning process you will need to have the courage to deal with rejected proposals; the openness to request and accept feedback; and the tenacity and persistence to keep on improving on your writing skills.
This book gives a step-by-step approach to the whole process of developing a technical proposal. It will equip you with practical strategies and tips that you can immediately use. The book focuses on the process issues and does not substitute your professional responsibility to be technically knowledgeable in your area of specialization.
After reading this book you will understand the entire proposal development process. Specifically, you will be able to:
Objectively review the terms of reference for any assignment;
Efficiently manage your documents during the proposal writing process;
Confidently assemble a winning team every time;
Develop a practical and efficient work plan;
Develop and implement a risk analysis plan; and
Perform quality assurance tasks to ensure deliverables of the highest standard.
Understanding the Basics
In development consulting, a full or complete proposal comprises of the technical and financial proposals. The technical proposal is always prepared first and focuses on the technical aspects of the assignment. Clients will evaluate the technical proposal before they consider the financial proposal. The financial proposal focuses primarily on costing the technical proposal. Although the two depend on each other, they are commonly packaged and presented separately to clients. This book focuses on the technical proposal development process.
The technical proposal must demonstrate to the client your understanding of the assignment and your ability to successfully carry it out to completion. A well written technical proposal typically demonstrates the following critical aspects:
A thorough understanding of the terms of reference;
An innovative and practical methodological approach which demonstrates extensive knowledge and technical depth;
A practical work plan with distinct and sequential phases that demonstrates skilful project management and efficient utilisation of time;
A keen awareness of the risk factors that might compromise the accomplishment of the assignment and the proposed risk mitigation strategies;
A quality assurance strategy that will ensure quality deliverables; and
A team (or individual) with relevant qualifications and proven technical knowledge and experience relevant to the assignment.
Writing a good technical proposal requires a great deal of skill and experience. The technical proposal is conventionally written in the third person. Besides being the conventional norm, this form of writing is objective and professional. The proposal must also be written in simple technical language and must be precise, logical, and coherent. All technical details and factual information must be verified for accuracy. The proposal must be well formatted and free of all spelling and grammatical errors.