Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
Statistics
Research bias
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/
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A proposal has a lot of different purposes, but there’s only one good way to write one: the way that pulls together all of the information in a concise and persuasive way and helps you get what you want … whether that’s a whole new software system, or just a tweak to your marketing strategy.
This Process Street article isn’t about a business proposal — also known as a quote — but instead about the document required when formally pitching an idea for action and execution by managers or department heads .
To explain how to write a proposal document and get what you want, we’ll go through the following:
When are proposals necessary, why are proposals important, examples of proposals, how to write a proposal: step-by-step, last steps before submitting the proposal, more free proposal writing checklists, even more free proposal writing checklists, customize your proposal checklists with process street.
Let’s get started.
If you fancy taking a quick look at a free interactive template, that will help you write your proposals right away, feel free to dive straight into this!
There are more templates, like this one, further down in this post, so stick around.
Any project you don’t have the clearance or authority to start without a higher-up’s approval, you need to submit a proposal for.
According to SSWM , a proposal is “a detailed description of a series of activities aimed at solving a certain problem”.
That problem could be anything, from:
If it’s an idea you need to ask permission to execute, or to get action on, it needs a proposal.
A proposal is a way to pitch an idea and state your requirements, so it’s important for supervisors because they can get information in writing (not casually in the elevator), and be able to act knowing the full implications of their decision.
They’re also a chance for you to make a structured, logical argument and lay down everything in favor of your idea. A well-written proposal shows your manager you care about the cause, and it’s not just a mid-meeting whim you blurted out.
To write a top proposal you need to scrutinize it before you present it.
It’s a broad topic, but it’s best explained with examples.
Below is a simple proposal example with some basic sections.
Now let’s take a look at how to write a proposal — whether it’s as simple as the one above, or more complex.
Here’s the general structure of a proposal:
As you can see, a proposal generally consists of:
Just like with any kind of persuasion, it helps if you understand how to appeal to your audience. Who will be reading your proposal and deciding if it’s accepted or rejected? What do they care about? What kind of language and benefits would resonate with them? This is the first step because it’s an important thing to keep in mind as you go along and as information that informs the way you write from here on.
Who : Who will the proposal affect?
What : What’s the reason for you to write the proposal in the first place? Explain the current situation and the problems that come with it.
How : How are you going to solve the problem? Explain step-by-step in detail.
Who : Identify the personnel you need, along with their prior experience to add persuasion to the proposal
Reiterate : The purpose and main argument
Costs : Break down the projected costs involved for different elements of the project
Benefits : Break down the benefits to the organization, monetary and non-monetary, to persuade the reader there’ll be a return on investment
Thanks : Thank the reader for their time.
Contact information : Where can the reader get in touch with you? Make sure to be crystal clear to make the details easily discoverable.
Clear writing is your best friend when you’re trying to write persuasively. For that reason, there are a few checks to run before you submit your proposal.
Remember, what’s clear to you might not always be clear to other people.
Although jargon is popular in the business world, not everyone shares the equal love for it. It’s terms like right-size, blue sky (verb), turn-key, and synergize. They might mean something to you, or make you feel intelligent, but there are simpler alternatives that will help people understand what you mean !
The passive voice is defined as :
“The noun or noun phrase that would be the object of an active sentence (such as Our troops defeated the enemy) appears as the subject of a sentence with passive voice (e.g. The enemy was defeated by our troops).”.
It’s a long-winded way of expressing something that could be expressed in simple terms:
The passive voice sounds distant and even deceptive, and, since the reader might even just be skimming your proposal, you don’t want to add extra words to cloud your point.
Install a tool like Grammarly and check the proposal in an online text editor. Grammarly will manage to pick up on anything that is grammatically incorrect and sometimes even flags up stylistically poor phrases. Poor spelling and grammar will only discredit the value of what you’re saying and could be a problem that leads to your proposal being rejected.
As promised, check out the below five templates that have each been designed by the team at Process Street — makers of the finest remote work software for processes around — to help you write winning proposals.
This proposal template is a checklist that should be used alongside the proposal document you are planning to submit. Use it to make sure that all the elements have been considered, that the proposal contains everything it needs to and that it meets all set requirements.
Click here to access the Proposal Template Checklist Process!
Whether your business proposal is solicited or unsolicited, use this business proposal template checklist to ensure you include all the required information in your proposal and cover key areas such as these the problem the organization is facing, the proposed solution, the budget, and a key CTA.
Click here to access the Business Proposal Template Checklist!
Use this template to make sure your grant proposal includes all the relevant information, that it contains everything it needs to, and that it meets all stated RFP requirements.
Click here to access the How to Write a Grant Proposal Checklist!
Use this template to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it.
Click here to access the Research Proposal Example Checklist!
Use this template, alongside the proposal document you are planning to submit, to set the project vision, define the project requirements, describe the deliverables, and specify the deadlines.
Click here to access the Project Proposal Template Checklist!
If you’re looking for more inspiration, give these alternative proposal writing templates a go too.
If the above templates don’t quite fit your company, industry, or the proposal document you are writing, don’t worry!
Process Street to the rescue!
Process Street is super-powered checklists . We are a super-charged, state of the art BPM SaaS platform which allows you to create templates and run individual checklists from these. You can check tasks off as you work through them, set deadlines, request approvals, assign various tasks , and work through your proposal workflows with ease.
Watch this to get an idea about who we are and what we do:
To help you customize your proposal writing template, and make your proposal wriitng easier, you can use all these different types of Process Street features:
You can also connect your templates to thousands of apps through Zapier , webhooks, or API access to automate your proposal processes and workflows.
If you’re unfamiliar with process automation, what it means, and the benefits it can bring to your business, watch this Process Street webinar on automation:
Remember, if you want to get access to any of our proposal writing checklists, just click the links above and they will be added to your Process Street account where you can use them over and over again. Or, if you haven’t yet signed up for a Process Street account, click here and start your free trial.
Has this guide helped you out? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Benjamin Brandall is a content marketer at Process Street .
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This resource introduces the genre of academic proposals and provides strategies for developing effective graduate-level proposals across multiple contexts.
An important part of the work completed in academia is sharing our scholarship with others. Such communication takes place when we present at scholarly conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and publish in books. This OWL resource addresses the steps in writing for a variety of academic proposals.
For samples of academic proposals, click here .
First and foremost, you need to consider your future audience carefully in order to determine both how specific your topic can be and how much background information you need to provide in your proposal. While some conferences and journals may be subject-specific, most will require you to address an audience that does not conduct research on the same topics as you. Conference proposal reviewers are often drawn from professional organization members or other attendees, while journal proposals are typically reviewed by the editorial staff, so you need to ensure that your proposal is geared toward the knowledge base and expectations of whichever audience will read your work.
Along those lines, you might want to check whether you are basing your research on specific prior research and terminology that requires further explanation. As a rule, always phrase your proposal clearly and specifically, avoid over-the-top phrasing and jargon, but do not negate your own personal writing style in the process.
If you would like to add a quotation to your proposal, you are not required to provide a citation or footnote of the source, although it is generally preferred to mention the author’s name. Always put quotes in quotation marks and take care to limit yourself to at most one or two quotations in the entire proposal text. Furthermore, you should always proofread your proposal carefully and check whether you have integrated details, such as author’s name, the correct number of words, year of publication, etc. correctly.
Methodology is often a key factor in the evaluation of proposals for any academic genre — but most proposals have such a small word limit that writers find it difficult to adequately include methods while also discussing their argument, background for the study, results, and contributions to knowledge. It's important to make sure that you include some information about the methods used in your study, even if it's just a line or two; if your proposal isn't experimental in nature, this space should instead describe the theory, lens, or approach you are taking to arrive at your conclusions.
There are common pitfalls that you might need to improve on for future proposals.
The proposal does not reflect your enthusiasm and persuasiveness, which usually goes hand in hand with hastily written, simply worded proposals. Generally, the better your research has been, the more familiar you are with the subject and the more smoothly your proposal will come together.
Similarly, proposing a topic that is too broad can harm your chances of being accepted to a conference. Be sure to have a clear focus in your proposal. Usually, this can be avoided by more advanced research to determine what has already been done, especially if the proposal is judged by an important scholar in the field. Check the names of keynote speakers and other attendees of note to avoid repeating known information or not focusing your proposal.
Your paper might simply have lacked the clear language that proposals should contain. On this linguistic level, your proposal might have sounded repetitious, have had boring wording, or simply displayed carelessness and a lack of proofreading, all of which can be remedied by more revisions. One key tactic for ensuring you have clear language in your proposal is signposting — you can pick up key phrases from the CFP, as well as use language that indicates different sections in academic work (as in IMRAD sections from the organization and structure page in this resource). This way, reviewers can easily follow your proposal and identify its relatedness to work in the field and the CFP.
Conference proposals are a common genre in graduate school that invite several considerations for writing depending on the conference and requirements of the call for papers.
Make sure you read the call for papers carefully to consider the deadline and orient your topic of presentation around the buzzwords and themes listed in the document. You should take special note of the deadline and submit prior to that date, as most conferences use online submission systems that will close on a deadline and will not accept further submissions.
If you have previously spoken on or submitted a proposal on the same topic, you should carefully adjust it specifically for this conference or even completely rewrite the proposal based on your changing and evolving research.
The topic you are proposing should be one that you can cover easily within a time frame of approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. You should stick to the required word limit of the conference call. The organizers have to read a large number of proposals, especially in the case of an international or interdisciplinary conference, and will appreciate your brevity.
Conference proposals differ widely across fields and even among individual conferences in a field. Some just request an abstract, which is written similarly to any other abstract you'd write for a journal article or other publication. Some may request abstracts or full papers that fit into pre-existing sessions created by conference organizers. Some request both an abstract and a further description or proposal, usually in cases where the abstract will be published in the conference program and the proposal helps organizers decide which papers they will accept.
If the conference you are submitting to requires a proposal or description, there are some common elements you'll usually need to include. These are a statement of the problem or topic, a discussion of your approach to the problem/topic, a discussion of findings or expected findings, and a discussion of key takeaways or relevance to audience members. These elements are typically given in this order and loosely follow the IMRAD structure discussed in the organization and structure page in this resource.
The proportional size of each of these elements in relation to one another tends to vary by the stage of your research and the relationship of your topic to the field of the conference. If your research is very early on, you may spend almost no time on findings, because you don't have them yet. Similarly, if your topic is a regular feature at conferences in your field, you may not need to spend as much time introducing it or explaining its relevance to the field; however, if you are working on a newer topic or bringing in a topic or problem from another discipline, you may need to spend slightly more space explaining it to reviewers. These decisions should usually be based on an analysis of your audience — what information can reviewers be reasonably expected to know, and what will you have to tell them?
Most of the time, when you submit an article to a journal for publication, you'll submit a finished manuscript which contains an abstract, the text of the article, the bibliography, any appendices, and author bios. These can be on any topic that relates to the journal's scope of interest, and they are accepted year-round.
Special issues , however, are planned issues of a journal that center around a specific theme, usually a "hot topic" in the field. The editor or guest editors for the special issue will often solicit proposals with a call for papers (CFP) first, accept a certain number of proposals for further development into article manuscripts, and then accept the final articles for the special issue from that smaller pool. Special issues are typically the only time when you will need to submit a proposal to write a journal article, rather than submitting a completed manuscript.
Journal proposals share many qualities with conference proposals: you need to write for your audience, convey the significance of your work, and condense the various sections of a full study into a small word or page limit. In general, the necessary components of a proposal include:
This order is a common one because it loosely follows the IMRAD (introduction, methods, results and discussion) structure often used in academic writing; however, it is not the only possible structure or even always the best structure. You may need to move these elements around depending on the expectations in your field, the word or page limit, or the instructions given in the CFP.
Some of the unique considerations of journal proposals are:
While the requirements are very similar to those of conference proposals, proposals for a book ought to address a few other issues.
Since these proposals are of greater length, the publisher will require you to delve into greater detail as well—for instance, regarding the organization of the proposed book or article.
Publishers generally require a clear outline of the chapters you are proposing and an explication of their content, which can be several pages long in its entirety.
You will need to incorporate knowledge of relevant literature, use headings and sub-headings that you should not use in conference proposals. Be sure to know who wrote what about your topic and area of interest, even if you are proposing a less scholarly project.
Publishers prefer depth rather than width when it comes to your topic, so you should be as focused as possible and further outline your intended audience.
You should always include information regarding your proposed deadlines for the project and how you will execute this plan, especially in the sciences. Potential investors or publishers need to know that you have a clear and efficient plan to accomplish your proposed goals. Depending on the subject area, this information can also include a proposed budget, materials or machines required to execute this project, and information about its industrial application.
As John Boswell (cited in: Larsen, Michael. How to Write a Book Proposal. Writers Digest Books , 2004. p. 1) explains, “today fully 90 percent of all nonfiction books sold to trade publishers are acquired on the basis of a proposal alone.” Therefore, editors and agents generally do not accept completed manuscripts for publication, as these “cannot (be) put into the usual channels for making a sale”, since they “lack answers to questions of marketing, competition, and production.” (Lyon, Elizabeth. Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write . Perigee Trade, 2002. pp. 6-7.)
In contrast to conference or, to a lesser degree, chapter proposals, a book proposal introduces your qualifications for writing it and compares your work to what others have done or failed to address in the past.
As a result, you should test the idea with your networks and, if possible, acquire other people’s proposals that discuss similar issues or have a similar format before submitting your proposal. Prior to your submission, it is recommended that you write at least part of the manuscript in addition to checking the competition and reading all about the topic.
The following is a list of questions to ask yourself before committing to a book project, but should in no way deter you from taking on a challenging project (adapted from Lyon 27). Depending on your field of study, some of these might be more relevant to you than others, but nonetheless useful to reiterate and pose to yourself.
Your book proposal should include the following elements:
The following proposal structure, as outlined by Peter E. Dunn for thesis and fellowship proposals, provides a useful guide to composing such a long proposal (Dunn, Peter E. “Proposal Writing.” Center for Instructional Excellence, Purdue University, 2007):
Most proposals for manuscripts range from thirty to fifty pages and, apart from the subject hook, book information (length, title, selling handle), markets for your book, and the section about the author, all the other sections are optional. Always anticipate and answer as many questions by editors as possible, however.
Finally, include the best chapter possible to represent your book's focus and style. Until an agent or editor advises you to do otherwise, follow your book proposal exactly without including something that you might not want to be part of the book or improvise on possible expected recommendations.
Publishers expect to acquire the book's primary rights, so that they can sell it in an adapted or condensed form as well. Mentioning any subsidiary rights, such as translation opportunities, performance and merchandising rights, or first-serial rights, will add to the editor's interest in buying your book. It is enticing to publishers to mention your manuscript's potential to turn into a series of books, although they might still hesitate to buy it right away—at least until the first one has been a successful endeavor.
Since editors generally expect to see about one-tenth of a book, your sample chapter's length should reflect that in these building blocks of your book. The chapter should reflect your excitement and the freshness of the idea as well as surprise editors, but do not submit part of one or more chapters. Always send a chapter unless your credentials are impeccable due to prior publications on the subject. Do not repeat information in the sample chapter that will be covered by preceding or following ones, as the outline should be designed in such a way as to enable editors to understand the context already.
Depending on the subject of your book, it is advisable to include illustrations that exemplify your vision of the book and can be included in the sample chapter. While these can make the book more expensive, it also increases the salability of the project. Further, you might consider including outstanding samples of your published work, such as clips from periodicals, if they are well-respected in the field. Thirdly, cover art can give your potential publisher a feel for your book and its marketability, especially if your topic is creative or related to the arts.
In addition, professionally formatting your materials will give you an edge over sloppy proposals. Proofread the materials carefully, use consistent and carefully organized fonts, spacing, etc., and submit your proposal without staples; rather, submit it in a neat portfolio that allows easy access and reassembling. However, check the submission guidelines first, as most proposals are submitted digitally. Finally, you should try to surprise editors and attract their attention. Your hook, however, should be imaginative but inexpensive (you do not want to bribe them, after all). Make sure your hook draws the editors to your book proposal immediately (Adapted from Larsen 154-60).
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Essay examples, what is a proposal essay.
What does it take to convince people that you have a great idea and they should help you execute it? Depending on the idea and who you are talking to, you will need to present the concept you have and translate it into a vision the audience can understand. This is what Proposal Essays do: they help you submit an idea and provide evidence to back your argument on why the reader should back you up.
If you're tasked with writing a proposal essay for college and find the prospect daunting, from defining a problem to suggesting actionable solutions, StudyMoose essay writing services can provide the assistance you require.
These essays allow you to sell yourself, a belief, an idea, and whatever else in a way that not only gets others interested but where they also trust that you are best suited to execute what you present. Proposal Essays are common in business and economics but aren't limited to particular fields. In education, they analyze topics beyond the syllabus definition as they allow room for creative thinking.
Most of the work that goes into writing a Proposal Essay happens before you start writing. This is because the quality of your research and the extent of understanding of your idea determines whether the proposition stands. You want to be knowledgeable and well-versed to ensure you cover all primary ground. Thus, your first steps are all about gathering information. Once this is done, you need to focus on the structure and quality of writing.
Here are four steps you need to follow to write a Proposal Essay:
Proposal Essays, especially outside business and economics, are written for problem-solving. They involve identifying a problem or issue that could use a unique solution and are designed to get others on board with the solution. For your essay to be effective in the purpose, it needs to be structured based on the target audience.
Your audience informs your choice of words and points of focus. For instance, if you are writing a proposal for a business partnership, your investors will need to see the expected profit margin. Know your audience and talk to them in a language they will understand best.
These questions, down to which social media platforms they are on, will help you write a convincing proposal, in turn, get the support you want.
While you might have extensive knowledge on a topic, it is crucial to gain more information before writing your proposals. Ensure that your research involves exploring the work of others in the same field and using their input as resources to strengthen the value of your Proposal Essay. Additionally, you could get experts to support your ideas.
Now that you have all the information you need to write a good Proposal Essay, it is time to explore your concept. Since your idea was birthed when you didn't have as much knowledge as you do after research, you need to evaluate it and analyze its validity.
Apply yourself and engage with your thoughts. What adjustments can you make? What aspects remain? What feelings and emotions surround each part of the idea, and what does that mean for the bigger picture? Spend time with all this information and organize it in writing.
It is exciting to have your idea in writing finally, but your Proposal Essay isn't entirely done not yet. It would be best if you looked through your work, double-check for grammar errors and gaps in the flow. The cohesion of ideas is crucial to ensure the proper presentation of your concept. The first draft shows you how far you have come, but it is still a long way from done. Edit several times, and then some more. Once you are comfortable with what you have, pass the Proposal Essay to other people. This way, you get to see your work from a different perspective.
Characteristics of a good proposal.
Proposal Essays require strict adherence to the structure to ensure effectiveness. Missing one step or interchanging them means you overlook an idea or misrepresent one. Remember, this essay involves a lot of story-telling. If one event happens before another, it influences the next, and that's the only way it works.
For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread use of masks in the world. This cause-and-effect example can be interpreted as a proposal essay. If you want to provide masks to a school, your Proposal requires a brief introduction to the pandemic and why your solution is necessary.
Here is the structure for a Proposal Essay:
Assume your reader has the least possible information on the topic you want to talk about. Here, you have to keep in mind that they know something, but not enough. Your language should be understandable to a large audience that involves catering to beginners while at the same time valuable to professionals. Additionally, if the Proposal has a background, you need to mention this in the essay.
Ensure to capture the reader's attention. You can do this with statistics and facts about the topic. The introduction sets the entire essay's pace, with its last sentence acting like a thesis statement. This is where you mention the problem you are looking to solve.
What idea are you selling, and what is your purpose?
These three aspects should define the content of your proposal section in the essay. While you might have numerous ideas to share and back your idea, it is crucial to keep it brief. The focus is to capture the reader's attention, get them interested in the conversation, provide them with as much information as possible, intriguing them to want to be involved. Thus, you should:
Will your proposal work.
The most automatic answer is yes, and although you might know, for a fact, that it will work, you need to show the reader how. Talk about the desired outcome and the resources you will require to achieve them. Then, present the work and preparations that have already been done. This way, your plan of execution is not something you are planning to do but undergoing.
This is how you validate your idea by showing how you will achieve what you proposed.
A Proposal Essay is made up of three main parts.
The introduction includes a brief history, whether of the Proposal or the topic, or both. It would be best if you did not talk about your Proposal in the introduction.
Then comes the body that has arguments where you first introduce your idea and why it is essential. This part should not include any information on how you plan to execute the Proposal. The second part of the argument allows you to paint a picture of the idea you are selling.
Finally, the body includes a plan of action. While presenting your Proposal allows the reader to come up with the vision for themselves, a plan of action shows you are ready to execute the idea if your Proposal goes through. This way, the reader, who could be the investor if you are doing business, knows what they are getting from partnering with you and exactly how they will get it.
The conclusion includes a brief reiteration of the Proposal and a call to action. Do not simply restate what you talk about in the essay; conclude it. You want the reader to do something about what you have presented, whether it's a professor with grades or an investor with a large cheque.
Arguable thesis means that it can be argued. It must either state or refute an argument about your topic. To be debateable, a thesis must have some possibility of being true. However, the thesis should not be universally accepted as true. Instead, it should be something that people can disagree with. A thesis can be both an observation or an opinion.
observation + opinion (the "why") = thesis
Seeing if your thesis creates a powerful antithesis is an excellent approach to determine how strong it is.
Common thesis pitfalls:
Although a Proposal Essay is easy to write once you get the hang of it, sometimes it can be a daunting task. We offer Proposal Essay Samples and writing services, all done by experts. This way, you not only get to interact with quality essays but also meet assignment deadlines.
When writing a Proposal Essay, you need to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the idea and topic you are discussing. Mastery of concepts in a proposal shows confidence, which is crucial for convincing people to take on your ideas.
Be brief, but don't overlook essential details. Also, concisely present your ideas with good language and proper structure. This way, you capture the reader's attention from start to end, and if fortunate, they agree with your proposals.
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State of Proposals 2024
Distilling the data to reveal our top tips for doing more business by upping your proposal game.
An excellent project proposal should address the client’s main concerns and goals, sell your unique approach, and clarify the project process.
If the project is crystal clear to both you and your client, you can reduce confusion, scope creep , and complaints.
In this guide to writing proposals for projects, we dive into what this type of proposal must include and how to write one. Plus, we showcase excellent examples to copy and data-driven best practices to follow.
What’s in this guide:
What to include in a project proposal, how to write a project proposal.
Examples of project proposals
Looking for proposal templates, automated follow-ups, and closing insights? Get a custom Proposify demo .
A project proposal is sent by a design, consulting, or other type of firm to a potential client in order to present important project details like deliverables, timelines, expected outcomes, and costs. When the terms of service are included, a signed project proposal can double as a contract for the legal protection of both parties.
A project proposal is not to be confused with a request for proposal (RFP), which is sent by a corporation or government agency to multiple consulting firms in order to receive the maximum amount of proposals and pricing options for a project that they’ve already defined internally.
A project proposal, on the other hand, is created as part of a consultative selling process and can benefit a client even if they don’t move forward with the work because of the helpful project breakdown.
There are many different types of project proposals, from different lengths to fee structures.
Project length:
Short, one-time project
Longer, phased project
Retainer or ongoing project
Paid discovery or audit project
Payment type:
Hourly with estimated hours
Hourly with min and max hour range
Hybrid flat rate and hourly (common in interior design, event planning, and other fields with hard costs and hourly costs)
Industries:
Website design
Graphic design
Architecture and engineering
Construction and property services
Commercial leasing
Interior design
Event planning
Software subscriptions
Administrative management
Payroll and HR management
Market research and analysis
Software development
Product development
Solicitation types:
Solicited proposals sent in response to an RFPs
Unsolicited proposals sent without a prior RFP
A successful project proposal will include all or most of these important sections. You can mix and match them with your own templates or AI writing tools to craft the perfect project proposal outline.
The cover page is the easiest page to write.
It typically includes:
Your company’s name
The client’s name or project name
A photograph or graphic design
You might also choose to include your contact information on the cover page, but this is usually reserved for the About Us page or a dedicated contact page.
The executive summary is where you offer an overview of your methodology and the proposed project. Consider it elevator pitch. Shoot to write approximately 75 - 200 words.
Use this free AI-enabled character counter to help both get through writer's block as well as make sure your executive summary is the right length.
Many other parts of the proposal will be written as bullet points or very short phrases, so use this section to really paint the full picture of the project with language that is on-brand.
You can include the project goals and objectives of the client in the executive summary, in the project summary, or in a section dedicated just for this purpose.
You might write 75 - 150 words describing the goals, or utilize a bulleted list of 3-8 goals.
The approach section can go by a lot of different names, such as “solution” or “methodology.” In this section, you’re describing the strategy behind your approach. It sets the stage for the project details and budget to follow.
This is particularly important when winning over new clients who aren’t familiar with what sets your business apart from the competition.
A catering company might use this proposal page to talk about the sort of experience or quality of food they provide.
Meanwhile, a marketing company might include its brand ethos or core beliefs here.
While the previous section is about the strategy, this section is all about the specifics. Spell out exactly what you’ll do for the client.
Here’s what you might include in the project summary:
A quick description of the project
A list of project deliverables
A description of project phases with their own deliverables
A project timeline or roadmap
Your project management process
The collaboration or communication software you plan to use
Measurable or specific milestones in the project
A description of the project team and the talent included
About the company
You can write an About Us page, an Our Team page, or both. An About Us page should include a description of what your company does, your target audience, and the results you provide. An Our Team page will feature bios of important people on your team.
You need to spell out the project costs. Depending on the nature of your business, you might show a flat rate project total, your hourly rate alongside the number of estimated hours , or a variety of package options for the client to choose from.
Terms and conditions
Next up: terms and conditions. When using a proposal management software with e-signatures , your proposal can work as a binding contract. Include your master service agreement and allow the project summary to serve as the statement of work.
Prospective clients will need some reassurance to help them trust your business.
Consider including:
Testimonials
Star rating averages
Portfolio pieces
Work samples
Mini case studies
Ready to pitch a new project? Here’s a step-by-step process to create a winning project proposal.
The first step is to understand the client’s current challenges and goals. As part of your discovery process, you might conduct a single sales call, or several.
Some companies actually charge for a longer discovery or audit process, and use a proposal to sell that introductory service. They will then later upsell that client on a project based on their findings with a custom proposal. However, most firms conduct the discovery process for free and then make project recommendations in their first proposal.
Next, you’ll want to distill everything the client has shared with you. You might take some time to gather your notes, talk it through with a colleague, and then determine the most important objectives. These project objectives will guide all further decisions.
Now it’s time to decide which method or approach will lead to project success. If you have a templatized project process and always serve similar clients, you can offer your usual solution.
But if you offer custom work unique to each client, then you’ll need to decide on the approach. For example, an event planner might decide to offer event marketing, registration, setup, and breakdown services if a client doesn’t have any in-house resources, but they might only offer setup and breakdown if the client has in-house marketing and ticketing specialists.
Now that you’ve done your research and decided what to pitch to the client, it’s time to break the project down.
Determine the project costs or pricing options, break up work into phases, and clarify deliverables. You can jot this down on a piece of paper or work directly inside of a proposal template .
Write out your proposal and make sure that you’ve covered all of the bases. It’s worth noting that longer isn’t necessarily better. Through our analysis of 1 million proposals, we found that winning proposals have 7 sections and 11 pages on average .
The most common proposal structure is:
Executive summary
Approach or solution
Deliverables
Keep in mind that you can alter and rename these sections to match your services and unique brand voice. Leverage an AI writing generator to help brainstorm content while you work on the sections of your proposal.
Now it’s time to send the proposal. You can save time and reduce your software needs by using one software for both proposals and contracts. Just make sure that you’ve included your terms and conditions.
Proposals with e-signatures assigned to both the sender and recipient have a 426% higher closing rate. And if you sign the proposal first (before the client opens it), you’ll increase your chances of closing by a further 36.8%.
Be on hand to make changes per client requests, whether they want to change the project scope or adjust contractual language because of their picky legal team.
Being asked to revise a proposal isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, proposals that are revised a couple of times are more likely to close.
Need some inspiration? These project proposals offer examples of exactly what to include in your next pitch.
This printing proposal offers an excellent example of how to clearly communicate your pricing and offer interactive options. When we analyzed 1 million proposals sent with our platform, we found that proposals with fee tables have a 35.8% higher closing rate than those without and that proposals with editable quantities have an 18.5% higher closing rate.
You can use this proposal template with your free trial of Proposify and easily customize it for your unique business offerings.
This example project proposal template includes these sections:
Our Services
Sample Work
Your Investment
A project timeline is an important part of any project proposal. This marketing proposal template offers a great example of how to share this timeline in a simple format.
Break your project down into distinct steps so the client knows exactly what to expect.
This example proposal template includes the following sections:
Overview & Goals
Scope of Services
Our next example is an accounting proposal .
This proposal stands out because it includes the client’s goals in the Project Summary section. See those short and sweet bullet points? They serve as a smart way to let the client know that you understand their goals and will be able to satisfy them.
This proposal also includes a breakdown of work that is categorized into four different batches, or chunks: QuickBooks Startup, Data Migration, QuickBooks Data Build, Overall (throughout the project). You can use this example when breaking down a project into different stages or services.
Access this accounting proposal template with a paid subscription or a free trial of Proposify.
The template includes the following sections:
Project Summary
Work Proposal
Do you need to include exclusions in your proposals? If the type of work you offer is contingent on other service providers or lends itself to complications, then you might want to start adding exclusions. This can help protect your business from the many risks associated with project scope confusion or misaligned expectations.
This construction proposal template , available inside of Proposify, offers a perfect example of an exclusion section, which follows what is included in the project.
The project proposal template includes the following sections:
Cover Letter
Meet Our Team
Previous Projects
Project Schedule
Event planning is complicated—that’s exactly why the event industry serves as a great example of how to charge for both hourly work and fixed costs at the same time.
You can access this event planning proposal template with your Proposify account (check it out with a free trial ).
In the Budget section, the proposal kicks things off with a fee table including all of the hourly costs .
This project proposal also has a second fee table to estimate the hard costs , such as catering and photography, and the hourly costs and hard costs are then added up for the full project total.
This template includes the following sections:
Introduction
Our Understanding of Your Needs
Writing a great proposal is a lot of work.
Here are some project proposal best practices that will help you save time and get better results:
Create templates for different services, projects, or clients. The faster you send a proposal, the more likely it is to close. Try creating a few different templates to make it easy to generate a new proposal based on the clients’ unique needs. And of course, you can always speed up the process by beginning with one of our templates .
Get the client’s opinion on your plan before you turn it into a proposal. Try pitching your project idea to the client at the end of the sales call. Check to see their reaction. If they love what you’ve suggested, turn that into your proposal. If not, ask what they have in mind. This way, you’ll create a proposal that is more likely to close.
Ask the client what they want the proposal to include. If your client has given you a detailed RFP , you’ll know exactly what to include in your proposal. If not, don’t be afraid to ask. Especially when working with large corporations and government agencies, your main point of contact should be able to share what all stakeholders will expect to see in the project plan.
Offer dynamic pricing options. Proposals with both optional rows and editable quantities have a 20.2% higher close rate. Consider add-ons and options that will cater to decision-makers while customizing and perfecting the project scope. Clients should be able to select the options directly in the business proposal to create an accurate project total in real-time and then sign off on it.
Include multimedia content in your proposal. Proposal content shouldn’t just be in a written format. Accompany your writing with mages and videos to help them visualize the project. Proposals with images are 72% more likely to close and proposals with videos are 41% more likely to close. Try including pictures of your team and your previous work and illustrations of your process or typical ROI.
Write and automate follow-up emails. Proposals with just one automated follow-up email are 35% more likely to close. If you use Proposify, you can easily turn on automated follow-ups for every proposal. You can use our follow-up email templates, or create your own templates for different types of clients or projects.
An excellent project proposal should include the project roadmap, milestones, budget, and any supplemental information that will help the client really understand the value of the project and secure buy-in.
To make any proposal more likely to close, make sure you include multimedia content, pricing options, and e-signatures.
Proposify’s proposal templates , automated follow-ups, and viewing analytics can take your proposal closing game to a whole new level. Book a demo today.
Dayana Mayfield is a B2B SaaS copywriter who believes in the power of content marketing and a good smoothie. She lives in Northern California. Connect with her on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/dayanamayfield/
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Types of project proposals, 1. digital marketing proposal, 2. financial services proposal, 3. web design proposal, 4. engineering services proposal, 5. crm implementation proposal, 6. freelance writing proposal, 7. sales proposal, 8. interior design proposal, 9. graphic design proposal, 10. project management proposal.
Earning more business starts most often with an effective proposal. Preparing a winning proposal means writing for the client and providing a clear, valuable solution to their problem.
Earning more business starts most often with an effective proposal. Writing a winning proposal means writing for the client and providing a clear, valuable solution to their problem. Each proposal must be planned out before a word is written. This planning assures a deep consideration of the audience, the most effective structure, and persuasive content. The proposal must be a tailored document that positions your company’s strengths with client needs. While the proposal development process can be intimidating, there are many proven examples to inspire you.
For every call for proposals by a potential client, there are good and bad submissions. To understand how to improve your bid, we have analyzed ten excellent proposal examples. In this article, we will review these examples highlighting both the best practices used and common mistakes to avoid.
The two main types of proposals are solicited or unsolicited proposals. When communicating with prospective customers, you must tailor your language to match the type of proposal you are writing.
Solicited proposals are submissions made in response to a request for proposal (RFP). A solicited proposal request may come from clients requesting a continuation project proposal. Potential clients may also request a solicited proposal.
Companies often use an RFP template to provide potential suppliers with details of their specific requirements, including deadlines and desired content. It allows the supplier to demonstrate their capabilities by proposing something that meets the customer’s need. The supplier can then go into more detail about why this proposal is the best solution.
On the other hand, unsolicited project proposals may not be sent at the request of any party and instead could be initiated by either customers or outside parties. In such cases, an individual or entity with a great idea or product will make a proposal without being asked to do so. This type of submission allows them to pitch an innovative concept that may offer better services than what is currently available in the market. As long as their ideas have merit and fit with the customer’s goals, it could potentially lead to them securing further business opportunities within that company.
The very first paragraph states the specific benefits to the client. “... we are confident we can significantly increase your site traffic, customer engagement, and on-site conversions.” The timeline and the budget, persuasively phrased as ‘Your Investment,’ are straightforward and easy for the client to understand and decide upon.
The most effective digital marketing proposal will address business goals that show the client you are listening to their concerns.
Critique: The case study placement is a bit distracting, as it could be included near the end with the About Us section.
The flow and content of this proposal are strong, with one significant exception: the About Us section.
While the About Us and Team sections do add value, the client is most interested in the solution. If the solution is appropriate, then the people behind it are the next consideration. The first-page executive summary should be a convincing and specific overview for the reader. This section along with proposed service details, timelines, and budget is read in-depth. The About Us sections are simply skimmed.
Whether using software or your company’s template, present the client with the most important information first. Make it easy for the client to understand and see the value in your company's proposal.
This proposal clearly outlines the process and timeline for implementing the proposed services. The project is fully broken down so the client can understand all that they are getting for the price. Critique: There are no clear financials or pricing details, which is often what clients are looking for in a proposal.
The introduction or executive summary uses convincing language and bullet points to highlight the value. Highlighting your value well and early is an important part of a successful proposal, and this is a great example. Critique: It could be improved by shifting the language from general CRM best practices to how the company can specifically offer them based on this proposal. Again, the About Us section should come after the benefit-to-client details.
A sleek web-based proposal that includes specific offerings and clarification of the value. This proposal could be used not only by freelancers but any company that would benefit from a very visual proposal highlighting different services.
Critique: The Introductory letter and Executive Summary have strong, persuasive elements that refer to specific client needs. These two elements could be combined to strengthen the first section. Again, the About Me should be presented after the solution in every proposal.
A brief proposal that covers a range of offerings. The nice overall use of white space allows the reader to skim and find the important information. It leaves a lot of room for additional information or sections if you need it. Critique: Remember what we said about About Us? (It's amazing how often companies talk about themselves first in a proposal. Break the habit!)
A visually compelling document suited for the industry. This is a great proposal for someone in interior design, organization, or a similar home-based service. Critique: Bumping up the Project Showcase section would improve proposal flow.
A thorough, understandable proposal that breaks down the process and pricing. The content highlights the company’s knowledge of client needs and its value proposition. This is another graphic proposal that could work well for other industries as well. Critique: The executive summary leaves much to be desired. Every sentence should be persuasive and specific, whereas this text is uninspiring and unclear.
For more information on writing proposals, read our blog, 8 Tools to Help You Create a Proposal.
Your proposal is your direct chance to win new business. Keep the client in mind in each step of proposal preparation. This strategy may mean revamping existing templates or starting fresh. Take the best parts of these examples, avoid the mistakes, and put your best foot forward to help your client.
R eady to level up your proposal writing? Check out our Business Proposal Writing Course.
Our Proposal Writing Course includes instructor feedback & coaching to review any proposal you write.
How to format a business proposal (with examples), how long should a proposal be, 11 best proposal creation software tools, get notified of new articles.
Learn how to write an internal project proposal that wins the sponsorship of stakeholders in your organization and get customizable examples and templates.
5 minute read
Short answer
A project proposal is a detailed plan presented to stakeholders, outlining the objectives, strategies, and timeline of a project. It's designed to secure buy-in by clearly demonstrating the project's value and feasibility.
Right now, your project proposal is just one in a pile on a decision-maker's desk, and there's not enough money to fund them all. If your proposal doesn't stand out, your project might not happen. It's that simple.
Other projects are competing for the same attention and resources, and if they make a stronger case, they'll be the ones moving forward, not yours.
Feeling the heat? Let’s turn that into action.
I’ll show you how to write a winning project proposal. Let’s dive in!
A successful project proposal takes the form of an interactive deck, blending sharp text with dynamic visuals, charts, and videos to weave your project's narrative.
This format allows stakeholders to easily navigate through the proposal, focusing on parts most relevant to them, and interact with the content, such as clicking through to detailed appendices or external resources.
By making your proposal an engaging, interactive journey, you boost its chances of success.
Here’s what a successful project proposal looks like:
NOTE: If you want to see more successful decks in action, check out our post containing the best project proposal examples .
Title page: Set the stage with the project's title, the date, and the names of the proposal writer and project manager.
Executive summary: Offer a concise overview of what the project entails, including its objectives and key results , the problem it aims to solve , and the proposed solution, serving as an engaging snapshot for stakeholders.
Problem statement: Clearly articulate the issue or opportunity at the heart of your project, establishing the need for your proposed solution.
Project objectives: Detail the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that the project aims to achieve.
Project scope: Define what the project will and will not include, setting clear boundaries and expectations for project deliverables.
Background information: Provide context and rationale for the project, including relevant historical data or research that supports the need for your proposal.
Solution: Describe your proposed solution in detail, explaining how it addresses the problem identified and why it is the best option.
Project plan and methodology: Explain the strategies, approaches, and methodologies that will be employed to accomplish the project's objectives, showcasing your planning and execution strategy.
Timeline: Outline the project's major milestones and deadlines, presenting a clear roadmap of how and when the project will be completed.
Budget: Detail all projected costs associated with the project, providing a transparent and accountable financial plan.
Risk management plan: Identify potential risks and outline strategies for their mitigation or management, demonstrating proactive problem-solving and planning.
Evaluation and monitoring plan: Establish criteria and methods for assessing the project's progress and success, ensuring that the project remains on track and achieves its goals.
Call to Action: Conclude the proposal by incorporating a direct call to action, urging stakeholders to move forward with the project.
A well-written proposal not only navigates your team and stakeholders through the project's journey but also convinces them to embark on this adventure with you. Let's dive into the art of proposal writing in several easy steps.
Here's a great video on how to write a project proposal:
The introduction is your first handshake with the reader, and like any first impression, it needs to be impactful.
Engage immediately: Begin with a compelling statement or question that directly addresses the reader's interests or the problem at hand. This draws the reader in and sets the tone for the proposal.
Briefly outline the solution: Introduce your solution early but succinctly, providing a teaser of what's to come. This helps to frame the reader's expectations.
Highlight the proposal's value: Make it clear why the reader should care. Whether it's a return on investment, a solution to a pressing problem, or an opportunity for innovation, ensure the value is front and center.
And here's what a project proposal introduction looks like:
The executive summary is arguably one of the most critical sections of your proposal. It should provide a concise overview of what the project entails, including its objectives, the problem it aims to solve, the solution, and the expected outcomes.
Prioritize clarity: Use clear, straightforward language to ensure your summary is accessible to all readers, regardless of their familiarity with the project's subject matter.
Emphasize key benefits: Focus on the benefits of your project, making a strong case for why it deserves support and resources. This is where you want to highlight the impact and the difference your project will make.
Keep it concise: While it's tempting to include every detail, remember that this is a summary. Aim for brevity while ensuring you're providing a complete overview of the project's most compelling aspects.
Here's what an executive summary looks like:
The project background is where you build your case. It's about providing context and persuading the reader of the necessity of your project.
Detail the problem: Go beyond stating the problem. Explore its nuances, its impact on stakeholders, and why it has persisted. This depth shows your understanding and frames your project as a necessary intervention.
Leverage previous work: Use existing studies, projects, or data to build credibility. Showing awareness of the field positions your project as a thoughtful contribution rather than a redundant effort.
Connect the dots: Make it clear how the background leads to your project. This narrative should feel like a natural progression, logically leading the reader to your proposed solution.
Here's what a project background slide looks like:
A project write-up is a detailed description of your project, including its objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It's the core of your proposal, where you elaborate on how you plan to achieve your project's goals.
Methodology: Detail your approach with clarity. Whether it's research, development, or a community project, explain how you'll achieve your objectives. This isn't just about listing steps but about showing your strategic thinking.
Timeline and milestones: Be specific about your project timeline. Include milestones and checkpoints. This shows planning and provides a roadmap for project management and execution.
Expected outcomes and deliverables: Clearly articulate what success looks like. Define your metrics for success and how you'll measure them. This sets expectations and also shows your commitment to accountability.
Here's what a project write-up looks like:
Begin by listing the human, financial, and material resources required for your project. Then, transform your resource list into a dynamic guideline for project execution.
Define milestones: Set clear, achievable milestones that mark significant progress points throughout the project.
Assign tasks: Link each resource to specific tasks, ensuring every team member knows their responsibilities.
Timeline: Establish a realistic timeline, aligning tasks and milestones with specific dates and durations.
Risk management: Identify potential risks and outline strategies for mitigation, ensuring you have contingency plans in place.
Monitoring and evaluation: Detail how progress will be tracked and measured against objectives, specifying tools or methods for assessment.
Communication plan: Describe how information will be shared among stakeholders, including regular updates and feedback mechanisms.
This structured approach ensures that every resource is accounted for and strategically deployed, paving the way for smooth project execution and success.
Here's what an action plan slide looks like:
A detailed budget is a critical component of your project proposal. It should transparently outline all costs associated with the project, ensuring stakeholders understand where their investment is going.
Itemize expenses: Break down costs into categories such as labor, materials, equipment, and overheads.
Justify costs: Provide explanations for major expenses, demonstrating their necessity for the project's success.
Include contingencies: Factor in a contingency budget to cover unexpected costs, showing that you've planned for all eventualities.
Show value for money: Connect your budget back to the project outcomes. It's not just about the cost but about the return on investment. Make it clear how each dollar spent brings the project closer to its goals.
Here's what a financial plan slide looks like:
Understanding your audience is crucial in tailoring your proposal to their interests and concerns.
Speak their language: Adjust your language and emphasis based on who you're writing for.
Address specific interests: Highlight aspects of your project that align with the priorities of your audience. Whether it's innovation, community impact, or financial return, make those connections clear.
Anticipate questions: Think from the perspective of your readers. What objections might they have? What clarifications might they need? Address these proactively in your proposal.
The conclusion is more than just the final paragraph of your project proposal; it's a strategic element designed to convert interest into action.
Embed your calendar: Include a link to your calendar for stakeholders to schedule a discussion or presentation. This reduces barriers to taking the next step.
Include direct links: Provide direct links to detailed project plans, additional documentation, or a video pitch. This offers immediate access to deeper insights.
Add an Accept button: If your proposal is digital, include an "Accept" button for stakeholders to endorse the proposal instantly. This can significantly speed up the approval process.
Remember, the end goal is to make it as easy as possible for your readers to say "yes" to your proposal.
Here's a great example of a next step slide:
Now that you know how to write a project proposal, check out our blog post on how to design a project proposal , so you have all it takes to create your best deck yet.
The most effective project proposal writing format shifts from traditional, text-heavy documents to concise, interactive decks.
Unlike dense proposals that can bury important details under pages of text, interactive decks prioritize clarity and engagement.
They leverage expandable text sections and content segmented in tabs, allowing stakeholders to dive deeper into specifics without overwhelming them upfront.
This approach makes the proposal more navigable but also enhances the presentation of visuals and charts.
By structuring information in an interactive, easily digestible format, your proposal stands out, making a compelling case for your project by telling a story that captures and holds attention, ultimately increasing the likelihood of winning approval.
Starting your project proposal with the right foundation is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative that captures and retains your audience's attention.
Interactive project proposal templates provide a structured yet flexible framework that can be customized to fit your project's unique story.
They’re built with all the best practices in mind and optimized for engagement, so you can be sure you’re putting your best foot forward.
Just grab one!
Before diving into writing your project proposal, setting the stage correctly is crucial for crafting a document that resonates with stakeholders.
Research your audience: Understand the needs, preferences, and challenges of your stakeholders to tailor your message effectively.
Identify the problem: Clearly define the issue or opportunity your project will address, ensuring it aligns with stakeholder priorities.
Develop a solution concept: Sketch out a preliminary solution that your project will offer, considering feasibility and impact.
Gather essential information: Collect data, studies, and any relevant information that will support your proposal and demonstrate thorough preparation.
Outline your objectives: Define what your project aims to achieve, ensuring these goals are specific, measurable, and aligned with stakeholder interests.
Estimate resources needed: Make a preliminary assessment of the budget, personnel, and other resources required to achieve your project goals.
Consult with key stakeholders: Engage potential supporters or critics early to gain insights, feedback, and build internal support before formal submission.
Draft a proposal outline: Create a blueprint of your proposal structure, including all the sections you plan to cover, to guide your writing process.
Taking these preparatory steps ensures that when you start writing your project proposal, you have a clear direction, a strong foundation of support, and all the necessary information at hand to make a persuasive presentation .
A project proposal is a persuasive document aimed at gaining approval and support for a project, outlining objectives, strategies, and benefits.
A project charter , however, is a formal agreement that defines the project's scope, objectives, and stakeholders after approval.
A project proposal is crafted to secure initial approval for a project, highlighting its objectives, benefits, and feasibility.
Following approval, a business case is developed to detail the financial and strategic rationale, aiming to secure additional funding and support for the project.
Crafting and presenting a short proposal is an art that combines clarity, precision, and persuasion. It's about making a compelling case in a concise format, ensuring your audience grasps the essence of your project and is motivated to act.
Drawing on insights from Jennifer Bridges , a seasoned PMP and executive coach in project management, here's how to make your short proposal stand out:
Start with the end in mind: Clearly envision your project's goals and outcomes. This helps you structure your proposal to lead directly to your desired conclusion.
Understand your audience: Know the preferences, decision-making styles, and priorities of those you're presenting to. Tailoring your proposal to their expectations increases its impact.
Set a vision: Paint a vivid picture of what success looks like. A compelling vision can inspire and motivate your audience to support your proposal.
Define success criteria: Be clear about what success means for your project. This sets tangible goals and shows your commitment to achieving specific outcomes.
Secure buy-in and sign-off: Aim to get agreement and approval during your presentation. Be prepared to answer questions and address concerns to facilitate immediate decision-making.
Don'ts:
Lack of preparation: Going into a proposal presentation unprepared undermines your credibility and the viability of your project. Invest time in rehearsing and refining your pitch.
Asking for solutions: Present yourself as the expert with a well-thought-out solution, rather than looking to your sponsor to solve the problem. This demonstrates your initiative and understanding of the project's needs.
Overwhelming with options: Providing too many choices can lead to decision paralysis. Focus on presenting the best solution to keep your proposal clear and decisive.
Leaving without next steps: Don't conclude your presentation without outlining clear next steps. This ensures everyone knows what's expected moving forward and maintains momentum.
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8. Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your essay and reaffirm the significance of your proposal. This is your final opportunity to convince your readers, so end with a powerful call to action. Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion, as it can confuse readers and may unnecessarily elongate your essay.
Environmental Proposal Essays. Environmental proposal essays address ecological concerns by suggesting practical actions. Examples include advocating for renewable energy incentives, proposing plastic bans, or promoting urban green spaces. An essay on renewable energy incentives might discuss the environmental benefits of solar and wind energy ...
Examples of a Proposal Essays. To further enhance your understanding, let's delve into a few examples of proposal essays:. Example 1: Advocating for a Greener Campus; Propose the implementation of sustainable practices on campus, such as energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and composting initiatives.
414 Proposal Essay Topics for Projects, Research, & Proposal Arguments. Writing a proposal essay is an essential skill for students navigating academia and beyond. Whether you are advocating for change, proposing a solution to a problem, or presenting a new idea, your writing should be clear, convincing, and creative.
Show the audience that you know what you are doing. The more prepared you look the better your chances are to get the proposal passed (or get a better grade if it is for a class). 8. Conclusion. Do not restate your introduction here if you choose to mention the "history" of a certain proposal.
437 samples. A proposal essay is a description of a future project. It pursues two purposes: to convince the reader that the research or business deserves attention and to test the plan's viability. Because while writing this essay, you may encounter unsurpassable problems that will require you to change the topic.
Proposal Essay Examples. To help you understand what makes a successful proposal essay,here are some examples of effective proposal essays: 1. "Implementing a School-Wide Recycling Program" - This proposal essay outlines a plan to implement a recycling program in a high school. It provides a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and ...
Example 4: Enhancing Physical Education Programs in Elementary Schools. This proposal essay aims to enhance physical education programs in elementary schools. I will examine the current state of physical education in schools, highlighting its importance in child development. I will propose the inclusion of diverse physical activities, increased ...
Get to know your audience and tailor your planned proposal to its interests. Use convincing language to involve your audience to advocate for your notion. Incorporate relevant data, instances, and statistics to reinforce your position. Address possible counterarguments to demonstrate thorough consideration. Use a powerful summary to conclude ...
The art of persuasion involves appealing to emotions, logic, and credibility to sway the audience's perspective. Examples of a proposal essay - employ various persuasive techniques, such as logical reasoning, compelling evidence, and rhetorical devices, to make a convincing case for the proposed solution. Proposal essays play a crucial role in ...
Look for top proposal essay examples in your field to gather insights and ideas on structuring and presenting your proposal. Practice and Revise: Writing is a skill that improves with practice. The more you write and revise, the better your essays will become. Don't be afraid to draft and redraft until your essay is compelling and clear.
Read on to find proposal writing examples for the most popular proposal sections, including the cover page, executive summary, deliverables, pricing, and more. Proposals are how you show the client what your business has to offer, and how you convince them that you're the one for the job. Writing a proposal can seem daunting at first, but it ...
Select the Sample Academic Proposals PDF in the Media box above to download this file and read examples of proposals for conferences, journals, and book chapters.
Provide Supporting Evidence. A proposal essay should be backed by solid evidence to enhance its credibility. Conduct thorough research and gather data, facts, statistics, and expert opinions to support your claims. Use a variety of sources such as scholarly articles, books, reputable websites, and case studies to strengthen your arguments.
Research proposals, like all other kinds of academic writing, are written in a formal, objective tone. Keep in mind that being concise is a key component of academic writing; formal does not mean flowery. Adhere to the structure outlined above. Your reader knows how a research proposal is supposed to read and expects it to fit this template.
Develop an Outline. Create a clear and logical structure: Divide your proposal into sections or headings that will guide your readers through the content. Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the problem, its significance, and the proposed solution. Background/Context: Offer relevant background information and context to help the readers ...
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management".
Explain step-by-step in detail. Who: Identify the personnel you need, along with their prior experience to add persuasion to the proposal. 4. Conclusion: costs, benefits and wrap-up. Reiterate: The purpose and main argument. Costs: Break down the projected costs involved for different elements of the project.
An important part of the work completed in academia is sharing our scholarship with others. Such communication takes place when we present at scholarly conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and publish in books. This OWL resource addresses the steps in writing for a variety of academic proposals. For samples of academic proposals ...
We offer Proposal Essay Samples and writing services, all done by experts. This way, you not only get to interact with quality essays but also meet assignment deadlines. Also, check out the Proposal Essay topics. When writing a Proposal Essay, you need to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the idea and topic you are discussing. Mastery of ...
Get verbal agreement from the client on your pitch and approach before putting it in writing with a proposal. Step 2. Create the cover page. Kick off your proposal writing with a compelling cover page (also known as the title page). The visuals and style take center stage here—it's your first impression after all.
1. Discover the client's needs. The first step is to understand the client's current challenges and goals. As part of your discovery process, you might conduct a single sales call, or several. Some companies actually charge for a longer discovery or audit process, and use a proposal to sell that introductory service.
Critique: There are no clear financials or pricing details, which is often what clients are looking for in a proposal. 4. Engineering Services Proposal. Here, the Project Background sections clearly outline the work process for the client. Each task is clarified and seems to respond to the specifications of an RFP.
Draft a proposal outline: Create a blueprint of your proposal structure, including all the sections you plan to cover, to guide your writing process. Taking these preparatory steps ensures that when you start writing your project proposal, you have a clear direction, a strong foundation of support, and all the necessary information at hand to ...