education project proposal template

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Education Project Proposal Template: A Comprehensive Guide + Free Template Download + How to Write it

Education project proposal template: a comprehensive guide.

As a seasoned educator, I understand the importance of creating well-thought-out and thorough proposals for new educational projects. The Education Project Proposal Template is an invaluable tool for educators and administrators looking to secure funding and support for their innovative initiatives. Unlike a standard proposal, this template is specifically tailored to the unique needs of educational projects, providing a clear and structured framework to outline the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes . In this article, we will delve into the importance of using a specialized template for education project proposals and explore the key elements that set it apart from a standard proposal.

I can provide you with a template for an education project proposal that you can use as a reference in creating your own proposal. Here are a few examples:

Title: STEM Enrichment Program for Elementary Students

Executive summary.

The STEM Enrichment Program aims to provide hands-on learning opportunities for elementary students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By offering after-school workshops and weekend sessions, we aim to spark an interest in STEM fields and nurture the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

The need for quality STEM education has never been greater. As technology continues to advance, the demand for skilled STEM professionals is on the rise. However, many students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, do not have access to resources and opportunities to explore STEM fields. This program seeks to bridge that gap and provide a supportive environment for students to explore and excel in STEM.

• Introduce students to basic STEM concepts through engaging and interactive activities
• Build confidence and interest in STEM fields among young learners
• Provide mentorship and guidance for students considering a future in STEM careers
• Foster a sense of curiosity and creativity in problem-solving

Implementation Plan

• Partner with local elementary schools to identify students who would benefit from the program
• Recruit qualified STEM educators and professionals to lead workshops and mentor students
• Secure funding and resources to provide necessary materials and equipment for hands-on activities
• Coordinate with parents and guardians to ensure participation and support for the program

Evaluation and Assessment

• Conduct pre and post-program assessments to measure the impact on students’ interest and knowledge in STEM
• Collect feedback from students, parents, and educators to make improvements for future iterations of the program
• Track the long-term academic and career outcomes of program participants

My advice on this example is to ensure that the objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will help demonstrate a clear understanding of the program’s goals and how they will be achieved.

Title: Literacy Development Initiative for Rural Communities

The Literacy Development Initiative seeks to address the literacy gap in rural communities by providing resources, training, and support for educators and students. Through the implementation of literacy programs and the establishment of community libraries, we aim to improve literacy rates and promote lifelong learning in underserved areas.

Rural communities often face challenges in accessing quality education resources, including books, qualified educators, and supportive learning environments. As a result, literacy rates in these areas tend to be lower than national averages. This initiative seeks to empower these communities by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to promote literacy and a love for reading.

• Increase access to age-appropriate and culturally relevant reading materials for students in rural schools
• Provide professional development opportunities for educators to enhance their teaching strategies and literacy instruction
• Foster a culture of reading and storytelling within the community through engagement and outreach efforts
• Measure and improve literacy outcomes for students through ongoing assessment and monitoring
• Partner with local schools and community organizations to establish community libraries and reading programs
• Identify and distribute high-quality literature and educational resources to schools in rural areas
• Facilitate training workshops for educators on effective literacy instruction and classroom management
• Host literacy events and activities to engage students and families in the joy of reading and storytelling
• Conduct baseline assessments to identify areas for improvement and track progress over time
• Monitor library usage and book circulation to gauge community engagement
• Measure changes in literacy rates and reading proficiency among students through standardized assessments

My advice on this example is to emphasize the community-driven nature of the initiative and the importance of culturally relevant resources and programming. This will demonstrate a respect for the unique needs and strengths of the communities being served.

These examples provide detailed and in-depth information for each section of the education project proposal template. They serve as a guide for structuring the proposal and effectively communicating the purpose, objectives, implementation plan, and evaluation methods of the education project. By following the format and content of these examples, individuals can create a well-organized and compelling proposal for their own education projects. Additionally, my advice on each example offers insights into important considerations and strategies for crafting a successful proposal.

Download free Education Project Proposal Template in Word DocX, Powerpoint PPTX, and PDF. We included Education Project Proposal Template examples as well.

Download Free Education Project Proposal Template PDF and Examples Download Free Education Project Proposal Template Word Document

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Education Project Proposal Template FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the Education Project Proposal Template?

A: The purpose of this template is to provide a structured format for proposing education-related projects, whether it’s for a school, community organization, or other institution.

Q: How can I use this template?

A: Simply fill in the sections with the relevant information for your proposed education project. You can customize it to meet the specific needs and requirements of your project.

Q: What are the key components of this template?

A: The key components include the project title , objectives, background information, project activities , timeline, budget, and evaluation plan .

Q: Can this template be used for any type of education project?

A: Yes, this template is versatile and can be used for a wide range of education projects, including curriculum development , after-school programs, community workshops, and more.

Q: Is there a specific format or length requirement for using this template?

A: While there are no strict requirements, it’s best to keep the proposal concise and focused. Aim to provide enough detail to clearly convey your project idea without overwhelming the reader.

Q: What are the benefits of using this template?

A: Using this template can help ensure that your education project proposal is well-organized, comprehensive, and professional. It can also make the proposal review process more efficient for stakeholders.

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13+ education project proposal templates – pdf, word.

An educational project proposal usually contains details and ideas for approval of a project within the school property or distance learning simple program . For a better learning environment and easier writing, our education project proposal templates already feature the necessary content and sample programs for primary school, early childhood education, middle school, and high school students.

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What are the things you need to do to have a clear project proposal?

1. get the vision and turn it into a proposal, 2. find the right companies and businesses to help you in the funding of the proposed project, 3. have the best team, 4. arrange meetings together with your team and representatives from the companies that will help you fund the project, free education project proposal for poverty example.

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52+ SAMPLE Education Program Proposal in PDF | MS Word | Google Docs | Apple Pages

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1. education television program proposal, 2. higher education program proposal   , 3. global education program proposal, 4. distance education program proposal, step 1: construct an engaging abstract of the education program , step 2: determine the needs or issues , step 3: highlight the vital components of the education program, step 4:   proofread and revise the overall proposal, step 5: prepare the final education program proposal, share this post on your network, file formats, word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates, you may also like these articles, 25+ sample construction company proposal in ms word.

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18 project proposal templates to accurately capture your vision

So you have an idea. And you're here looking for the best way to frame it so that whoever needs to approve your proposal doesn't dismiss you out of hand. 

If you haven't made a video of yourself proposing this idea and played it during a meeting while proudly standing in the corner, mouthing along to your epic speech, I'm happy to report that you're doing great so far.

Proposals are common, whether it's to initiate new business, secure funding, or land a contract. But project proposals are more specialized in that you can use them to get approval or inform stakeholders of new projects and initiatives. 

My design team and I have put together some templates for project proposals, designed and formatted to suit different purposes. They're Google Docs that you can copy, and once you've filled them in, you can download them as PDFs. Have at 'em.

1. Business project proposal template

This template outlines the basic elements of a project proposal. It contains sections for your executive summary, project goals, tasks, schedule, budget, and resources. It's flexible enough to adapt to business proposals of every size and purpose. Pageantry aside, this template represents the essentials of a business proposal.

Tip: Tie your schedule section to the task list you have in mind, so readers can get a clear view of the project's timeline.

2. Research project proposal template

Research proposals demand a focus on context. Whatever kind of research it is, it will always require an overview of existing information, gaps in knowledge, and any theoretical frameworks that may already be out there. It focuses heavily on explaining how you'll approach the project and how you'll collect and analyze the data.

Tip: Include as much context and background information about the industry or area you're researching. Display expertise and knowledge of the subject matter.

3. Grant project proposal template

It's never easy getting your project funded. But a good grant proposal can definitely boost your chances of getting free money. This template is designed to shine a light on the project details, timeline, goals, and team. It allows you to go into greater detail regarding where you intend to spend your funding. I'm told companies and entities that grant grants like transparency.

Tip: Break down the costs and be as transparent as possible about your goals and how this funding will help you reach them.

4. Marketing project proposal template

While all proposals share the same foundation, this template is formatted to accommodate a marketing team's most important points, providing an overview of the team, services, projected impact of the project, and an outline of the tools, software, and expenses needed.

Tip: Make use of the company section to highlight the team working on the project. Some proposals include detailed bio sections for each member.

5. Event project proposal template

Every successful event needs a roadmap that incorporates event objectives, venue options, budget breakdowns, strategies, and contingency plans. You can tailor this template to match events of different sizes. It'll do wonders for a company's product reveal and launch event, just the same as it would your CTO's daughter's 15th birthday party.

Tip: Highlight the unique selling points of your event, and incorporate engaging visuals or themes.

6. Software development project proposal template

This template emphasizes past experience and successful projects, as these are the most important software development selling points. It outlines the project scope, functionalities, development stages, projected timeline, budget estimation, and case studies.

Tip: Emphasize the scalability and user-friendliness of your software. Illustrate how it solves specific problems or improves efficiency.

7. Web design project proposal template

Much like software development, web design is the type of industry that requires a portfolio, making testimonials and imagery very important elements. This template will also help you outline ideas for the project, detailing pages and features you plan to implement. It's adaptable for freelance projects or agency pitches.

Tip: Showcase previous successful projects or design concepts to illustrate your creativity and technical expertise.

8. Training project proposal template

You can use this template to present comprehensive training programs. It includes training goals, methodologies, curriculum outlines, delivery modes, assessment strategies, and budget breakdowns.

Tip: Highlight the anticipated impact on learners and how your training program addresses specific skill gaps.

9. Consulting project proposal template

As a consultant, you want to emphasize problem-solving strategies, proposed methodologies, deliverables, costs, and expected outcomes. This proposal template helps frame that information and remains customizable enough to work with consulting services across multiple industries.

Tip: Incorporate case studies or testimonials to showcase successful consulting projects or solutions.

10. Education project proposal template

This template is structured to outline educational initiatives, curriculum changes, or program enhancements. It focuses on educational objectives, teaching methodologies, resource allocation, budget estimation, and evaluation criteria. 

It can work great for corporate training, leadership development, or any other educational work you're leading at your business.

Tip: Emphasize how the proposed changes or initiatives align with educational standards or contribute to student success.

11. Non-profit project proposal template

For a non-profit project proposal, it's important to highlight its social impact, community engagement, fundraising strategies, budget allocation, and volunteer involvement. It's designed to convey your mission and its significance.

Tip: Highlight successful initiatives or stories of changed lives to illustrate the impact of your non-profit.

12. Sales project proposal template

Very likely the most commonly used type of proposal, sales requires a very detailed outline of products or services, pricing, benefits, ROI projections , and proposed strategies. You can easily customize this template for B2B or B2C sales.

Tip: Identify your client's pain points and include them in your proposal alongside your solution.

13. Human resources project proposal template

This template is best used to outline initiatives such as recruitment strategies, training programs, employee benefits, or policy changes. This template focuses on HR objectives, methodologies, implementation plans, and budget allocation.

Tip: Showcase the anticipated positive impact on employee satisfaction and company performance. Provide evidence and proof that your approach has yielded positive results in the past and has a proven track record.

14. IT infrastructure project proposal template

You can use this type of proposal to pitch implementing an IT infrastructure or upgrading it. It includes technical specifications, budget breakdowns, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies.

Tip: Emphasize scalability, security, and technological advancements when you pitch your services.

15. Real estate project proposal template

This template outlines property details, market analysis, project scope, and financial details. You can use this project proposal for property development, sales, or investments.

Tip: Include visuals like property images or location maps to help readers visualize your ideas.

16. Financial project proposal template

Unsurprisingly, a financial proposal highlights financial strategies, budget allocation, ROI projections, risk assessment, and expected outcomes. It's best used for funding requests, investment proposals, or financial planning.

Tip: Emphasize the projected financial returns and risk mitigation strategies.

17. Arts and culture project proposal template

To best represent cultural initiatives, art projects, or events in a compelling manner, it's important to lean heavily on displaying artistic significance, community involvement, budget allocation, and expected cultural impact.

Tip: Showcase previous successful cultural events or artistic collaborations to highlight credibility and creativity. Make sure to include promotion strategies for your project.

18. Engineering project proposal template

For engineering projects, it's important to focus on technical specifications and design alongside project scope, methodologies, technical specifications, budget estimates, and anticipated outcomes.

Tip: Make sure your technical approach and specifications are as detailed as possible. This information can raise issues for your client if your technical specifications aren't compatible with their existing infrastructure.

Tips and best practices

Writing a great project proposal comes down to filtering the most important information for your industry, business, services, and client. There's a lot you can include in this document, but if it's irrelevant, too long, or way off-topic, it may cause more damage than good.

Write compelling objectives: Your objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound ( SMART ). Modify them to fit your proposal type.

Write for your audience: Write each proposal with your audience in mind. A research project proposal, for example, should focus on clearly defined objectives and adhere to academic standards, while a non-profit project proposal should highlight social impact and take on a storytelling approach. 

Structure an effective approach: Your approach needs to match the nuances of each proposal type. Whether it's research, marketing, or education, customize your methodology and strategies to align with the project's objectives. For example, if you're writing a research project proposal, your objectives should focus on the gap in knowledge that your research fills.

Allocate resources and prepare your budget plans: Develop a detailed and realistic budget plan. Allocate resources considering the unique needs of each project. Prioritize expenditures and ensure alignment with project goals. For example, if you're writing an engineering proposal, it's important to consider necessary expenses like hiring costs, technology, and software.

Set evaluation and success metrics: Different project scopes demand different metrics. Whether it's ROI for financial proposals or community impact for non-profit projects, establish measurable criteria to assess success.

A project proposal can help you set the stage for success. While a business plan helps you create your entire operation, a proposal is a tool of a smaller scale and approach that highlights key information, making it possible for you to secure project funding, win clients, or implement groundbreaking projects.

A persuasive project proposal does more than communicate your vision and plan for the project. It showcases your dedication and capability to execute it. Once approved, you can leverage Zapier 's project management automation to set up the workflows you need for a seamless project launch and execution. Learn more about how to automate project management .

Related reading:

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Hachem Ramki

Hachem is a writer and digital marketer from Montreal. After graduating with a degree in English, Hachem spent seven years traveling around the world before moving to Canada. When he's not writing, he enjoys Basketball, Dungeons and Dragons, and playing music for friends and family.

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How to Write a Project Proposal (Examples & Template Included)

Table of Contents

What is a project proposal, types of project proposals, project proposal vs. project charter, project proposal vs. business case, project proposal vs. project plan, project proposal outline, how to write a project proposal, project proposal example, project proposal tips.

• ProjectManager & Project Proposals

A project proposal is a project management document that’s used to define the objectives and requirements of a project. It helps organizations and external project stakeholders agree on an initial project planning framework.

The main purpose of a project proposal is to get buy-in from decision-makers. That’s why a project proposal outlines your project’s core value proposition; it sells value to both internal and external project stakeholders. The intent of the proposal is to grab the attention of stakeholders and project sponsors. Then, the next step is getting them excited about the project summary.

Getting into the heads of the audience for which you’re writing the project proposal is vital: you need to think like the project’s stakeholders to deliver a proposal that meets their needs.

We’ve created a free project proposal template for Word to help structure documents, so you don’t have to remember the process each time.

Get your free

Project Proposal Template

Use this free Project Proposal Template for Word to manage your projects better.

In terms of types of project proposals, you can have one that’s formally solicited, informally solicited or a combination. There can also be renewal and supplemental proposals. Here’s a brief description of each of them.

• Solicited project proposal: This is sent as a response to a request for proposal (RFP) . Here, you’ll need to adhere to the RFP guidelines of the project owner.
• Unsolicited project proposal: You can send project proposals without having received a request for a proposal. This can happen in open bids for construction projects , where a project owner receives unsolicited project proposals from many contractors.
• Informal project proposal: This type of project proposal is created when a client asks for an informal proposal without an RFP.
• Renewal project proposal: You can use a renewal project proposal when you’re reaching out to past customers. The advantage is that you can highlight past positive results and future benefits.
• Continuation project proposal: A continuation project proposal is sent to investors and stakeholders to communicate project progress.
• Supplemental project proposal: This proposal is sent to investors to ask for additional resources during the project execution phase.

A project proposal is a detailed project document that’s used to convince the project sponsor that the project being proposed is worth the time, money and effort to deliver it. This is done by showing how the project will address a business problem or opportunity. It also outlines the work that will be done and how it will be done.

A project charter can seem like the same thing as a project proposal as it also defines the project in a document. It identifies the project objectives, scope, goals, stakeholders and team. But it’s done after the project has been agreed upon by all stakeholders and the project has been accepted. The project charter authorizes the project and documents its requirements to meet stakeholders’ needs.

A business case is used to explain why the proposed project is justified. It shows that the project is worth the investment of time and money. It’s more commonly used in larger companies in the decision-making process when prioritizing one project over another.

The business case answers the questions: what is the project, why should it be taken up, who will be involved and how much will it cost? It’s therefore related to a project proposal, but the project proposal comes before the business case and is usually part of the larger proposal.

Again, the project proposal and the project plan in this case are very similar documents. It’s understandable that there would be some confusion between these two project terms. They both show how the project will be run and what the results will be. However, they’re not the same.

The project proposal is a document that aims to get a project approved and funded. It’s used to convince stakeholders of the viability of the project and their investment. The project plan, on the other hand, is made during the planning phase of the project, once it’s been approved. It’s a detailed outline of how the project will be implemented, including schedule, budget, resources and more.

All the elements in the above project proposal outline are present in our template. This free project proposal template for Word will provide you with everything you need to write an excellent project proposal. It will help you with the executive summary, project process, deliverables, costs—even terms and conditions. Download your free template today.

There are several key operational and strategic questions to consider, including:

• Executive summary: This is the elevator pitch that outlines the project being proposed and why it makes business sense. While it also touches on the information that’ll follow in the project proposal, the executive summary should be brief and to the point.
• Project background: This is another short part of the proposal, usually only one page, which explains the problem you’ll solve or the opportunity you’re taking advantage of with the proposed project. Also, provide a short history of the business to put the company in context to the project and why it’s a good fit.
• Project vision & success criteria: State the goal of the project and how it aligns with the goals of the company. Be specific. Also, note the metrics used to measure the success of the project.
• Potential risks and mitigation strategies: There are always risks. Detail them here and what strategies you’ll employ to mitigate any negative impact as well as take advantage of any positive risk.
• Project scope & deliverables: Define the project scope, which is all the work that has to be done and how it will be done. Also, detail the various deliverables that the project will have.
• Set SMART goals: When setting goals, be SMART. That’s an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. All your goals would be defined by those five things.
• Project approach: Define the approach you’ll use for the contract. There are several different types of contracts used in construction , for example, such as lump sum, cost plus, time and materials, etc. This is also a good place to describe the delivery method you’ll use.
• Expected benefits: Outline the benefits that will come from the successful completion of the project.
• Project resource requirements: List the resources, such as labor, materials, equipment, etc., that you’ll need to execute the project if approved.
• Project costs & budget: Detail all the costs, including resources, that’ll be required to complete the project and set up a budget to show how those costs will be spent over the course of the project.
• Project timeline: Lay out the project timeline , which shows the project from start to finish, including the duration of each phase and the tasks within it, milestones, etc.

In addition to these elements, it’s advisable to use a cover letter, which is a one-page document that helps you introduce your project proposal and grab the attention of potential clients and stakeholders.

To make the best proposal possible, you’ll want to be thorough and hit on all the points we’ve listed above. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a persuasive priority proposal.

1. Write an Executive Summary

The executive summary provides a quick overview of the main elements of your project proposal, such as your project background, project objectives and project deliverables, among other things. The goal is to capture the attention of your audience and get them excited about the project you’re proposing. It’s essentially the “elevator pitch” for the project life cycle. It should be short and to the point.

The executive summary should be descriptive and paint a picture of what project success looks like for the client. Most importantly, it should motivate the project client; after all, the goal is getting them to sign on the dotted line to get the project moving!

2. Provide a Project Background

The project background is a one-page section of your project proposal that explains the problem that your project will solve. You should explain when this issue started, its current state and how your project will be the ideal solution.

• Historic data: The history section outlines previously successful projects and those that could have run more smoothly. By doing so, this section establishes precedents and how the next project can be more effective using information from previous projects.
• Solution: The solution section addresses how your project will solve the client’s problem. Accordingly, this section includes any project management techniques , skills and procedures your team will use to work efficiently.

3. Establish a Project Vision & Success Criteria

You’ll need to define your project vision. This is best done with a vision statement, which acts as the north star for your project. It’s not specific as much as it’s a way to describe the impact your company plans to make with the project.

It’s also important to set up success criteria to show that the project is in fact doing what it’s proposed to do. Three obvious project success criteria are the triple constraint of cost, scope and time. But you’ll need to set up a way to measure these metrics and respond to them if they’re not meeting your plan.

4. Identify Potential Risks and Mitigation Strategies

To reduce the impact of risk in your project, you need to identify what those risks might be and develop a plan to mitigate them . List all the risks, prioritize them, describe what you’ll do to mitigate or take advantage of them and who on the team is responsible for keeping an eye out for them and resolving them.

5. Define Your Project Scope and Project Deliverables

The project scope refers to all the work that’ll be executed. It defines the work items, work packages and deliverables that’ll be delivered during the execution phase of your project life cycle. It’s important to use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to define your tasks and subtasks and prioritize them.

6. Set SMART Goals for Your Project Proposal

The best mindset when developing goals and objectives for your project proposal is to use the SMART system :

• Specific – Make sure your goals and objectives are clear, concise and specific to the task at hand.
• Measurable – Ensure your goals and objectives are measurable so it’s obvious to see when things are on track and going well, and conversely, when things are off track and issues need to be addressed. Measurable goals make it easy to develop the milestones you’ll use to track the progress of the project and identify a reasonable date for completion and/or closure.
• Attainable – It’s important every project has a “reach” goal. Hitting this goal would mean an outstanding project that extends above and beyond expectations. However, it’s important that the project’s core goal is attainable, so morale stays high and the job gets done with time and resources to spare.
• Relevant – Make sure all of your goals are directly relevant to the project and address the scope within which you’re working.
• Time-Based – Timelines and specific dates should be at the core of all goals and objectives. This helps keep the project on track and ensures all project team members can manage the work that’s ahead of them.

7. Explain What’s Your Project Approach

Your project approach defines the project management methodology , tools and governance for your project. In simple terms, it allows project managers to explain to stakeholders how the project will be planned, executed and controlled successfully.

8. Outline The Expected Benefits of Your Project Proposal

If you want to convince internal stakeholders and external investors, you’ll need to show them the financial benefits that your project could bring to their organization. You can use cost-benefit analysis and projected financial statements to demonstrate why your project is profitable.

9. Identify Project Resource Requirements

Project resources are critical for the execution of your project. The project proposal briefly describes what resources are needed and how they’ll be used. Later, during the planning phase, you’ll need to create a resource management plan that’ll be an important element of your project plan. Project requirements are the items, materials and resources needed for the project. This section should cover both internal and external needs.

10. Estimate Project Costs and Project Budget

All the resources that you’ll need for your project have a price tag. That’s why you need to estimate those costs and create a project budget . The project budget needs to cover all your project expenses, and as a project manager, you’ll need to make sure that you adhere to the budget.

11. Define a Project Timeline

Once you’ve defined your project scope, you’ll need to estimate the duration of each task to create a project timeline. Later during the project planning phase , you’ll need to create a schedule baseline, which estimates the total length of your project. Once the project starts, you’ll compare your actual project schedule to the schedule baseline to monitor progress.

Now let’s explore some project proposal examples to get a better understanding of how a project proposal would work in the real world. For this example, let’s imagine a city that’s about to build a rapid transit system. The city government has the funds to invest but lacks the technical expertise and resources that are needed to build it, so it issues a request for proposal (RFP) document and sends it to potential builders.

Then, the construction companies that are interested in executing this rapid transit project will prepare a project proposal for the city government. Here are some of the key elements they should include.

• Project background: The construction firm will provide an explanation of the challenges that the project presents from a technical perspective, along with historical data from similar projects that have been completed successfully by the company.
• Project vision & success criteria: Write a vision statement and explain how you’ll track the triple constraint to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
• Potential risks and mitigation strategies: List all risks and how they’ll be mitigated, and be sure to prioritize them.
• Project scope & deliverables: The work that’ll be done is outlined in the scope, including all the deliverables that’ll be completed over the life cycle of the project.
• Set SMART goals: Use the SMART technique to define your project goals by whether they’re specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
• Project approach: Define the methodology that the project manager will employ to manage the project. Also, figure out what type of contract will be used to define the project.
• Expected benefits: Show how the project will deliver advantages to the company and define what these benefits are in a quantifiable way.
• Project resource requirements: List all the resources, such as labor, materials, equipment, etc., needed to execute the project.
• Project costs & budget: Estimate the cost of the project and lay that out in a project budget that covers everything from start to finish.
• Project timeline: Outline the project schedule, including phases, milestones and task duration on a visual timeline.

Whatever project proposal you’re working on, there are a few tips that apply as best practices for all. While above we suggested a project proposal template that would have a table of contents, meaning it would be many pages long, the best-case scenario is keeping the proposal to one or two pages max. Remember, you’re trying to win over stakeholders, not bore them.

Speaking of project stakeholders , do the research. You want to address the right ones. There’s no point in doing all the work necessary to write a great proposal only to have it directed to the wrong target audience. Whoever is going to read it, though, should be able to comprehend the proposal. Keep the language simple and direct.

When it comes to writing, get a professional. Even a business document like a project proposal, business case or executive summary will suffer if it’s poorly constructed or has typos. If you don’t want to hire a professional business writer, make sure you get someone on your project team to copy, edit and proof the document. The more eyes on it, the less likely mistakes will make it to the final edition.

While you want to keep the proposal short and sweet, it helps to sweeten the pot by adding customer testimonials to the attachments. Nothing sells a project plan better than a customer base looking for your product or service.

ProjectManager & Project Proposals

ProjectManager allows you to plan proposals within our software. You can update tasks for the project proposal to signify where things stand and what’s left to be done. The columns allow you to organize your proposal by section, creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) of sorts.

When building a project proposal, it’s vital to remember your target audience. Your audience includes those who are excited about the project, and see completion as a gain for their organization. Conversely, others in your audience will see the project as a pain and something to which they aren’t looking forward. To keep both parties satisfied, it’s essential to keep language factual and concise.

Our online kanban boards help you think through that language and collaborate on it effectively with other team members, if necessary. Each card shows the percentage completed so everyone in the project management team is aware of the work done and what’s left to be done.

As you can see from the kanban board above, work has begun on tasks such as product documentation and design. Tasks regarding stakeholder feedback, ideation, market research and more have been completed, and there’s a good start on the engineering drawings, 3D rendering, supply chain sourcing and translation services.

A PDF is then attached to the card, and everyone added to the task receives an email notifying them of the change. This same process can be used throughout the life-cycle of the project to keep the team updated, collaborating, and producing a first-class project proposal. In addition to kanban boards, you can also use other project management tools such as Gantt charts , project dashboards, task lists and project calendars to plan, schedule and track your projects.

Project proposals are just the first step in the project planning process. Once your project is approved, you’ll have to solidify the plan, allocate and manage resources, monitor the project, and finally hand in your deliverables. This process requires a flexible, dynamic and robust project management software package. ProjectManager is online project management software that helps all your team members collaborate and manage this process in real-time. Try our award-winning software with this free 30-day trial .

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