Proposal Writing 101 Engineers Without Frontiers CEE 402

What Is the Goal of a Proposal? To convince someone to support a project with financial or other resources. What would it take for you to spend your money on a project?  KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!! Clear, compelling arguments that: 1.Project is a good thing to be doing 2.Proposal team will be able to do it

What Info Should a Proposal Include? 1.Project objectives 2.Anticipated benefits of the project 3.Background 4.Work plan 5.Team organization 6.Schedule 7.Resources and needs 8.Team background

Executive Summary TIPS One-page version of the proposal A complete summary of what the proposal is about May be the only part of the proposal someone reads Stands along. No figures or references. PURPOSE To explain to “busy executive” what proposal says

Project Description: Introduction Tells the reader what the rest of the report is about Makes him want to read more What you propose to do (objectives) Why you you propose to do it (motivation) Preview of the rest of the proposal PURPOSE INCLUDES

Project Description: Objectives & Scope To explain succinctly what you will achieve if funded To explain what you will NOT address (scope) TIPS Are you developing a methodology? Prototype? Recommendation? Software? Model? Usable product? Don’t promise more than you can achieve  VERY IMPORTANT STEP!! PURPOSE

Project Description: Anticipated Benefits To list all who will benefit if project objectives are met To explain how each will benefit TIPS Be as specific as possible Support claims with specific, quantitative evidence. Do not use words like really and very. Be honest, not overstated. Include benefits of possible extended or improved versions Keep in mind reviewers’ priorities and constraints PURPOSE

Project Description: Background INCLUDES Background about similar relevant work that has been done How the proposed work builds on and extends that work, but does not repeat it To convince reviewer that proposed work has not been done before, and you are not reinventing the wheel. PURPOSE

Project Description: Work Plan INCLUDES 1.Description of how you propose to achieve the stated objectives a.One paragraph that introduces all of the steps b.One subsection that describes each step in more detail 2.Challenges you anticipate and how you might approach them PURPOSE To convince reviewer that you have a plan to achieve the objectives.

Project Description: Team Organization PURPOSE To explain who is going to do what with respect to: 1.overall team 2.major steps in the work plan of your project

Project Description: Schedule PURPOSE To show that you have thought about how long it will take to complete the project. INCLUDES Timeline or Gantt chart

Resources and Needs PURPOSE To show that you have thought about what you need to complete the project. To tell reviewers what it will take to complete project. TYPES OF RESOURCES WHO PROVIDES THEM? 1.You and your organization 2.Requested from funder 3.Other source? 1.Money 2.Equipment 3.People 4.Space 3.People 4.Space

Team Background To show that proposal team is qualified to do project INCLUDES Relevant background and skills of each team member PURPOSE

Characteristics of a Successful Proposal Clearly written Succinct Persuasive Realistic objectives and work plan

Purpose of EWF Project Proposal To create a formal record of your plans To demonstrate understanding of project partner's needs To help you formulate your goals To discover your team's strengths and weaknesses To determine the resources available and your project's needs To pull your team together To learn a skill that is valuable in almost all engineering jobs To serve as a working document to guide your project planning To introduce new team members to your project in the future To be given to your community partner