I have been asked to write four proposals for clients I have never
done this. I was given a set of modules that could be included in each
proposal I would like to see what modules you would include:

Proposal are to and on:

Bank interested in evaluating the efftiveness of its community
contribution in dollars and loaned.

Manufacturer of custom-designed teacher development portfolios,
evaluaring this among teachers that are required to execute a
professional development plan

College study about changing the calendar 3 11 week quarters into 2 16
week periods.

A dot-com that monitors click on banner ads interested in developing a
different pricing structure for this service

I have never written a proposal.  
I was given a set of modules by a professional company but I still am
not aure which to include.
I was given modules such as: executive summary,problem
statement,research objectives,literature review, important benefits of
the study, research design, data analysis, nature and form of results,
qualificaTION OF RESEARCHERS, BUDGET, SCHEDULE, FACILITIES AND SPECIAL
RESOURCES, project management, bibliography. appendixies /glossary of
terms/measurement instrument.

I don't really understand of these modules. I have been presented with
this challenge from a new client I am loss. Please help.

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Request for Question Clarification by willie-ga on 03 Oct 2002 11:38 PDT

Bren

What exactly do you want?

Do you want 
- a run down on how to write a proposal (easy)
- four draft outlines, one for each of your proposals (more difficult
and will take some time)
- your proposals written for you (much more difficult and will take a
while and need more input from yourself - probably a $100+ question)

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Clarification of Question by bren-ga on 03 Oct 2002 14:00 PDT

What I want is someone to review the list of modules and tell me which
ones to use in each of the four proposals tht i need to write I want
to try and do them myself In my question I put a list starting with
exective statement.  I just want to know which moduel I should include
in each proposal. I will they this question open if you need me yo up
the price list me know.

Hello bren-ga,

As a former proposal writer in the tech industry, I'll try to answer
your question and provide some resources.  Getting started on a
proposal is tough!

What you are calling "modules," I would normally call "sections."  The
list of modules you presented would be an "outline" of the proposal.

I would be careful about using one set of modules or one particular
outline for each of the four proposals.  You will probably want to
develop customized sections and a customized outline for each
proposal, depending on how you develop your answer.

If you have a Request for Information (RFI) or a Request for Proposal
(RFP) document from your prospective customers, that is the best place
to start.  Use your prospective customer's own outline from the RFI or
RFP to develop your own "modules" and outline.  What I am saying is
that you should use your prospective customer to guide the structure
of the proposal.  Read the directions (if any) they give you, and
follow them closely!

Here is an example of an RFP:
http://www.shadowrunrpg.com/sponsor/writers_guidelines.shtml

It is important to include these items though: 1) table of contents,
2) executive summary, 3) costs or budget, and 4) appendices and
bibliographies (if needed).

I also found some resources that may help you.

A step-by-step approach to constructing a proposal:
http://www.cbsc.org/alberta/tbl.cfm?fn=propwrit

A short article on "how to handle a request for proposal:
http://www.ibiztips.com/home04JUN01.htm

A decent list of proposal writing resources, geared somewhat toward
grant proposals (but still relevant):
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Memorial/grants/proposal.htm

A business-oriented article on proposal writing:
http://www.womanowned.com/growth/newmarkets/govpropproc.htm

Some general writers' links:
http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-business.htm

Once you have an outline, you may want to consider enlisting some
help.  Pick topics from the outline, and if you have someone who can
help you with a particular topic, ask him or her to help.  Establish
clear guidelines for your helper, especially in terms of content and
DEADLINES -- since it is you who will be ultimately responsible for
completing the proposal.

Also -- using the keywords below on Google, you will find some
professionals who advertise proposal writing services, like some who
you can find on Elance ( www.elance.com ).

I'm sorry that I am not more specific in evaluating the specific
modules you suggested, but it's nearly impossible for me to comment
without actually having an RFI or RFP, or some other detailed
description from your prospective clients.

Search strategy:
Personal knowledge, plus keywords on Google: proposal writing
guidelines
And again, Google keywords: proposal writing guidelines -grant
-funding
One more set of Google keywords: business proposal writing guidelines
-grant -funding

Good luck!!

Scott
scottso-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by bren-ga on 04 Oct 2002 05:14 PDT

The set of modules or sections was what i had been taught in school. 
I have never written one befoore.

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Clarification of Answer by scottso-ga on 04 Oct 2002 06:24 PDT

Hello bren-ga,

The set of "modules" that was taught to you in school might not
necessarily be relevant to your prospective customers.  The most
important thing is to address the main areas that your prospective
customers want.

Here is an example.

For the "college study about changing the calendar 3 11 week quarters
into 2 16
week periods," you might try an outline with sections (or modules)
that looks like this:

1) Executive summary
2) Current calendar system
3) Proposed calendar system
4) Effects of a change
5) Implementation
6) Costs
7) Appendices (including your biography)

You really need to create a custom outline for each of your prospects,
in order for your proposal to have the maximum impact.

I know this is not an exact answer to what you asked, so let me know
if I can clarify further.  You may want to ask a more specific
question that has a detailed list of your prospective customers'
requirements and the specific outline you wish to use for each.

Scott
scottso-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by bren-ga on 04 Oct 2002 16:10 PDT

Thanks for your help with the school one.  Could you help me on the
other three the same way. with listing your suggestions.  I really
hate this job.

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Clarification of Answer by scottso-ga on 04 Oct 2002 21:24 PDT

bren-ga,
 
Even though a similar format may work for each of these as I am
suggesting below, it's tough for me to pick exact outlines for your
subjects without having the full requirements from your prospective
customers.  And you have to use your own interpretation to pick the
outline that works for you.  What I am saying is that you should not
use these outlines verbatim.  Modify it for your own use.
 
"Bank interested in evaluating the efftiveness of its community 
contribution in dollars and loaned."
 
1) Executive summary 
2) Current impact of community contributions
3) Proposed increase or decrease in community contributions
4) Effects of a change 
5) Implementation 
6) Costs 
7) Appendices (including your biography) 
 
"Manufacturer of custom-designed teacher development portfolios, 
evaluaring this among teachers that are required to execute a 
professional development plan." 
 
I do not understand what service you are proposing here.  You may want
to use a similar format to the previous subject.
 
"A dot-com that monitors click on banner ads interested in developing
a
different pricing structure for this service"
 
1) Executive summary 
2) Description of current pricing structure
3) Proposed alternate pricing structures
4) Effects of changes 
5) Implementation 
6) Costs 
7) Appendices (including your biography) 
 
Good luck.
 
Scott
scottso-ga