Porposals & Progress Reports

Proposals and Progress Reports

Business Proposal

Watch the suggested video and work out a definition for the suggested term.

Proposal? Describes work that is suggested Tells why it should be done

Progress Report? Describes and evaluates a project as work

is being done It is an official and legal record of work

Academic Proposal An academic proposal is the first step in producing a

thesis or major project. Its intent is to convince a supervisor or academic committee that your topic and approach are sound, so that you gain approval to proceed with the actual research. As well as indicating your plan of action, an academic proposal should show your theoretical positioning and your relationship to past work in the area.

Structure of Academic Proposal An academic proposal is expected to contain these elements: a rationale for the choice of topic, showing why it is important or

useful within the concerns of the discipline or course. It is sensible also to indicate the limitations of your aims—don't promise what you can't possibly deliver.

a review of existing published work ("the literature") that relates to the topic. Here you need to tell how your proposed work will build on existing studies and yet explore new territory

an outline of your intended approach or methodology (with comparisons to the existing published work), perhaps including costs, resources needed, and a timeline of when you hope to get things done.

Business Proposal A business proposal is a written document that offers a particular product

or service to a potential buyer or client. There are generally two kinds of business proposals: solicited business proposals (which are submitted in response to an advertisement published by the buyer or client) and unsolicited proposals (submitted or given out to potential buyers or clients even though they are not requesting for one).

Business Proposal vs. Business Plan

Quite often, the terms “business proposal” and “business plan” are used interchangeably, giving you the impression that they are one and the same. But they are not.A business proposal is created to offer a product or service to a buyer or client. On the other hand, a business plan is a “formal statement of a set of business goals” and how these would be achieved. The latter is only part of what is included in a business proposal.

Progress Report When a soliciting organization requests a proposal, it often states

that a certain number of progress reports will be required, particularly if the project covers a long time period.

Progress reports, usually submitted at agreed intervals, tell readers how a project coming along.

A progress report has three main purposes: 1. To explain to the reader what has been accomplished, the status

of the work and problems encountered. 2. To explain to the client how money and time have been spent

and what work remains to be done. 3. To enable the organization or individual to assess the work and

plan future work

Business Proposal Structure Description: This section will consist of a brief description of your

company and the purpose you are writing this business proposal for. Executive Summary: The executive summary section consists of a

detailed explanation of what your company is all about and the field it has an expertise in. You also need to mention the objective of your company in brief, followed by corporate goals.

Main Body: This is the most important section of the business proposal. It contains a comparison of what the client expects and what services you are ready to offer. Jot down all the customer's needs and how your company can meet his expectations. Also mention additional services and benefits your company offers. Give details of who are the well-known clients you have worked with and on which projects. Provide details on if you have received any awards for business deliverables

Business Proposal Format If required, give details of financial records and profits and losses of

your company. This will certainly assure the prospective client about your business' credibility.

At last, include a paragraph that will include the assurance of you

certainly providing the services according to the client's expectations.

 

Proposal

All projects begin somewhere. In universities, in business and in research organizations, the starting point is often proposal.

A proposal is an offer to provide a service or a product to someone in exchange for money.

When an organization wants work done, it wants the best work done for the best price.

It may advertise the work and invites contacts from interested parties.

Proposal

In a university, the research and grants office may notify departments that money is available for research.

Faculty members are invited to submit research proposals.

Proposals will state the following: Time needed to complete the project, List financial involvement

Proposal

Release time from regular teaching duties Describe the goals and benefits of the research

to the researcher and University.

Proposal Cycle, Preparation SideSoliciting Co. Submitting Co.

RFP (Request for Proposal)

SOW (Statement of Work)

RFQ Decides to Submit Proposal

Planning Process

First Draft Final Draft

Corrections, Printing, Binding

Proposal Cycle, Selection SideSoliciting Co. Submitting Co.

Receives Proposals Ships Proposal

from various

companies

Evaluates Proposals

Selects Finalists

Evaluates Finalists’ Oral Presentations

Selects and Announces Acceptance of Bid

Standard Proposal Sections Summary Project Description (technical proposal)

Introduction Rationale and Significance Plan of Work Scope Methods Task Breakdown Problem Analysis Facilities

Standard Proposal Sections Personnel (management proposal) Cost (cost proposal) Conclusion Appendixes

Progress Report Structured By Work Performed

Beginning Introduction/project description Summary

Middle Work completed or Task 1

Task 1 Work completed

Task 2, etc. Work remaining

Progress Report Structured By Work Performed

Middle, cont’d. Work remaining or Task 2

Task 3 Work completed

Task 4 Work remaining

End Overall appraisal of progress to date Conclusion and recommendations

Progress Report Structured By Chronological Order

Beginning Introduction/project description Summary of work completed

Middle Work completed

Period 1 (beginning and ending dates)DescriptionCost

Period 2 (beginning and ending dates)DescriptionCost

Progress Report Structured By Chronological Order

Middle, cont’d. Work remaining

Period 3 (or remaining periods)Description of work to be done

Expected cost

End Evaluation of work in this period Conclusions and recommendations

Progress Report Structured By Main Project Goals

Beginning Introduction/project description Summary

Middle Work completed or Goal 1

Goal 1 Work completed

Goal 2, etc. Work remaining

Goal 3, etc. Cost

Progress Report Structured By Main Project Goals

Middle Work completed or Goal 1

Goal 1 Work completedGoal 2, etc. Work remainingGoal 3, etc. Cost

Work remaining or Goal 2Goal 1 Work completedGoal 2 Work remainingGoal 3, etc. Cost

Progress Report Structured By Main Project Goals

End Overall appraisal of progress to date Conclusion and recommendations

Relationship between Proposals and Progress Reports.

Proposals describes work that is suggested, justification for it and methods for the work.

Progress Reports describes and evaluates work being done over a period of time until conclusion.

Thus if a job is proposed especially that which will be done over a period of time, a progress report must naturally follow.