A project proposal defines the key value proposition of the project. It sells value to stakeholders, both internal and external. The goal of the proposal is to draw the attention of stakeholders and project sponsors. All project proposals have six elements which create the foundation of the proposal. Let’s have a look at those.
Project Proposal Elements
The basis of a well-constructed project proposal are these six elements:
- Executive Summary: The executive summary catches the audience’s attention. The aim is to get them pumped about the project you are proposing. For the project, it is simply the “elevator pitch”. It needs to be succinct and to the point. The description should be informative, and paint a picture of what the client’s success feels like. Most significantly, the client should be motivated; after all the aim is to get them to sign to get the project going on the dotted line!
- History: The history section explains prior successful projects. It also details the ones that could have run more smoothly. This section, by doing so, creates precedents. That is to suggest, how the next project will use data from previous projects to be more likely to succeed.
- Requirements: Requirements are the project’s necessary items, materials and tools. Both internal and external needs should be included in this section.
- Solution: The section of the solution outlines how the client’s challenge can be addressed with the project. This section therefore contains certain strategies, expertise and processes for project management that the team can use to work effectively.
- Authorization: This section covers who is on the project committee with the decision-makers. It also includes which members on the client’s side have sign-off authority.
- Appendix: Data not included in the proposal for a project is included in the appendix. It’s where all of a project’s most important details are found. Even to understand more, this is where team members and stakeholders will do a deep dive.
The next step is making them confident about the project until you have people’s attention. It is important to reach into the minds of the people with which you draft the plan: you need to think like the stakeholders of the project to offer a proposal that suits their expectations.
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