Technical Writing Proposals PDF

12. Proposals A proposal is a documented idea. A written proposal is a document that proposes a solution to a technical problem and provides sufficient information so that management decision-makers can decide whether or not the proposed solution will be accepted. I...

12. Proposals A proposal is a documented idea. A written proposal is a document that proposes a solution to a technical problem and provides sufficient information so that management decision-makers can decide whether or not the proposed solution will be accepted. In order to accept a proposal, management must be convinced: Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 171  That the proposed solution is technically sound and operationally feasible (Technical Section). That the person or group proposing to solve the problem is indeed capable of effecting a solution (Managerial Section). That all costs have been identified, the costs are reasonable, and the benefits of the solution are commensurate with the total cost (Financial Section). A proposal like a three-legged stool. If any one is missing or weak, the proposal collapses, like a stool with one leg jerked out from under it. Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 172  Proposal Technical Financial Managerial The Proposal as a Three-Legged Stool Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 173  A proposal is similar to recommendation report in that it deals with a solution to a technical problem. But it differs from the recommendation report in that it focuses on a single solution rather than alternative solutions and it goes beyond a discussion of what should be done to include information on how it will be done, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 174  The Three Varieties of Proposals 1) The In-Firm Proposal: 2) The Firm-to-Firm Proposal: 3) The Research Grant Proposal: Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 175  The In-Firm Proposal The in-firm proposal is a document you use to convey ideas about your solution to a problem within your organization. In-firm proposals are usually informal or semiformal. The emphasis in most of in-firm proposals is on the technical solution and the cost-benefit analysis. Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 176  The Firm-to-Firm Proposal The one-sentence of a firm-to-firm proposal is “X proposes to do Y for Z for W dollars”. “International Engineering proposes to design a new wastewater treatment facility for the City of Amman for $2,400,000”. In other words, the firm-to-firm proposals is a statement of who is going to do what for whom and for how much. Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 177  The research Grant Request A request for research funding is not an act of begging. It is an offer of services rendered for a stated price, and as such it is really a proposal. Funding agencies and organizations are eager to award research funds; their very existence depends on their ability to disperse the fund they have control over. What they need is something to hang their hat on. They don’t require a guarantee of success. The research grant request often includes a literature review or a state-of-art statement. Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 178 General Outline of Proposals Introduction: (Purposes of the document, Problem to be solved and scope of the proposal). Technical Section: (Back ground, Methodology and time and work schedule). Managerial Section: (Credentials and experience of the firm, Facilities and personnel available and Authorities and Accountability). Financial Section: (Costs, Methods of payment and Revenues or cost savings generated by the project). Tangible Products of the Project: Urge to Action: Prof. Dr. Ziad S. Abu-Hamatteh 179