mardi 26 juin 2012

How to Write a Project Proposal

A lire sur: Method 123

To write a compelling project proposal, you need to answer these nine questions:
Q1: How Does this Project Solve a Problem or Fill a Need?
The first section should address what the problem is that needs to be solved or the need that can be filled. You may be proposing a new way of doing something at your company that upper management needs to approve. Or, it may be a multi-million dollar project that is being presented to a new client. Provide factual and irrefutable evidence that there is a problem or need that exists that this project will address.
Q2: What is the Proposed Solution to the Problem?
This section should focus on the specifics of how this project will solve the problem or fill the need. Spend time on how the project or solution you are proposing is different from the competition and the best solution for your audience.
Q3: What are the Specific Goals of the Project?
Break down the solution above into specific goals. Identify targeted cost savings, process improvements, or new revenues that can be attained once the project is implemented. While it may be a bit cliché', use the principle about your goals being S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) to clearly quantify each goal.
Q4: How Does this Project Fit into the Overall Corporate Strategy?
This is the icing on the cake if you are presenting a project proposal to a potential new client. Show them how the decision to move forward with this project fits perfectly into their overall corporate strategy. This shows that you have done the research, intimately understand their needs, and are concerned with their ROI, top-line, bottom-line, or whatever else is important at their C-Level. Including this when you pitch a project internally is even easier as you should already be familiar with your company's strategic direction. Your goal is to make this proposal a no-brainer to accept, fund, and support by the executive level project sponsor.
Q5: What Is the High Level Scope of This Project?
It is in this section that you begin to delve into what some of the deliverables of the project will include. There is still a substantial amount of the ‘unknown' that will become clearer as the project planning phase kicks in, but you should include enough of what is ‘known' to start making the project deliverables tangible. Include whether this is a phased approach with interim and value-generating deliverables along the way or if everything will be delivered at once.
Q6: What Risks Could Present Problems for this Project?
This section highlights any risks or obstacles that could prevent the project from reaching completion. It does not need to be as exhaustive as a Risk Register, but it should provide a prioritized list of what could get in the way. This will help potential project sponsors or clients make their decision with as many facts as possible.
Q7: What Resources Are Necessary to Complete the Project?
The person that is responsible for approving the project will need to know how many resources are necessary to complete the project. This is especially important if these resources will need to be provided by the client, such as subject matter experts. Additionally, this is where you can address any special needs regarding location. For example, your resources may need to be on-site at the client's office and will need an area where they can complete their work.
Q8: When Can the Project be Complete?
Provide budgetary timelines for when the project can be finished. If the project is broken up into multiple phases then indicate the rough timelines that each phase will be coming to completion. You won't be held to a specific day and time at this point. But, you will need to include a general idea of when each phase will be complete such as a particular month or quarter, depending upon the length of the project.
Q9: How Much Will the Project Cost?
Last, but not least, are the fees for the project. The best rule of thumb to follow is not to hide anything. Be as upfront as possible and disclose additional fees such as software licenses, temporary hires, or any other fees that your company or the client will need to expend to complete the project.
Is it possible to sum up what a Project Proposal should be in one phrase? Absolutely...What's In It For Me! Focus on how the client or management from your company will benefit from your project proposal and you'll be that much closer to your proposal being accepted!
There's no need to start from scratch when it comes to putting a project proposal together. Download this Project Proposal Template now.

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