PROPOSALS

Pro means forth, poser means to place

or to put
A systematic, factual, formal, and persuasive
description of a course of action or a set of
recommendations or suggestions.
Intended to persuade the reader to accept
the writers proposed course of action
It explains and justifies what it proposes
Proposals are written offers to solve a
technical problem or to undertake a project
of practical or theoretical nature

Cont
E.g. Consultants submit proposals to companies to
solve problems / crisis or offer some training &
development or conduct any survey / research or
conduct any such activity which would benefit the
organisations operation & market base
E.g. Construction companies submit proposal to govt.
for construction of bridges, roads, footbridge, parking
lots, etc.
E.g. Advertising agencies submit proposals for
promoting brands / product / services
Proposals serve to review & improve existing products
/services/operations to meet the ever-increasing
complex requirements of todays highly competitive
business environment

Types of Proposals
NON-FORMAL & FORMAL
A non-formal proposal is a brief description of
suggestions or recommendations; mainly
intended to initiate small projects; usually short
without elaborate descriptions; no particular
format followed, may take the letter format
A formal proposal is usually longer includes
elaborate descriptions & discussions; follows a
standard format; mainly intended to initiate big
projects

Types of Proposals
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
PROPOSALS
A proposal addressed to readers
within an organisation; may be
formal or informal;
External
proposals
are
communicated to people outside an
organisation; usually formal;

Types of Proposals
SOLICITED AND UNSOLICITED
PROPOSALS
A solicited proposal is written in
response to a specific request from a
client; usually formal following a
standard format
An unsolicited proposal is written
without any request for a proposal.
Self initiated research and business

Types of Proposals
RESEARCH & BUSINESS PROPOSALS
Research proposals are academic in nature &
mostly solicited; academicians of academic
institutions / researchers of research
institutions may submit a proposal /synopsis
to conduct any experimental / theoretical /
market based research for a definite
outcome
Business proposals are sent to clients related
to any business activity & are usually formal

Parts of Formal Business Proposals

1. Title page
2. Letter of transmittal
3. Draft contract : proposer proposes the particulars like terms
of finance, duration of the project, delivery, payment mode,
etc.
4. Table of contents
5. List of illustrations
6. Abstract / Executive Summary
7. Introduction: Statement of the problem, Need, Background,
Objectives / Purpose, Scope & limitation
8. Proposed Plan & Schedule: Methods, activities to be
conducted, sequence of activities, time period, equipment,
facilities, products, human & other resources, detailed cost
estimate
9. Conclusion
10.Appendices
11.References