The Writing of Business Proposal Evaluation

Rate the writing on the following aspects, keeping in mind that 4=excellent, 3=good, 2=fair, and 1=poor. Write comments when appropriate.

The RFP requirements match the organization's priorities and mission, and the project and its goals offer synergies with other projects and goals.

Comments:

The proposal convinces readers that there is a match between the writer's goals and theirs, provides evidence that the writer's organization can achieve the stated goals, convinces readers of the virtues as well as the practicality of the ideas presented, and persuades readers that the project is a good investment.

Comments:

The proposal is easy to read because it includes a proposal summary and redundant road maps and traffic signals.

Comments:

The proposal answers readers' likely questions about the essential issues: what can be done; the costs and risks involved; resulting benefits; and the organization's ability to do what is proposed.

Comments:

The proposal discusses only plausible alternatives.

Comments:

The proposal provides detailed financial information, defining the areas of uncertainty in the analyses and projections.

Comments:

The proposal discusses risks to help readers get a realistic sense of possible problems and your plans for managing them.

Comments:

The proposal considers resources and constraints to show readers that the organization has the resources and strengths to do what is proposed.

Comments:

The proposal includes a careful inventory of the organization's resources and constraints on them in view of what is proposed. It also considers what resources might be available elsewhere as well as what readers might provide.

Comments:

The proposal clarifies what should be done by whom and how.

Comments:

The proposal provides a vision of the goals and benefits that are likely to result from the proposed action.

Comments:

The proposal shows that the plan is not only feasible, but the most plausible of the alternatives.

Comments:

The proposal provides any elements required by the RFP: resumes of key people; financial statements and projections; details about equipment or the physical plant; approvals for human subjects research; performance bonds; support letters.

Comments:

The proposal uses a conventional problem/solution/rationale organization if appropriate: it discusses alternatives, constraints, costs, and resources; it explains plans, processes, and a timeline for achieving the proposed solution.

Comments:

The proposal includes all of the conventional elements of proposals as appropriate: a cover and binding; a cover letter; an executive summary and table of contents; an appendix; formatting; typographical elements and graphics.

Comments:

The proposal is clear and direct, and it uses any specialized or technical language appropriate for readers.

Comments:

The proposal follows exactly the conventions of grammar, spelling, and usage.

Comments:

For questions and suggestions, please e-mail us at kilbornj@stcloudstate.edu or rinkster@stcloudstate.edu.