If your next Business Proposal is for an important client, and you’re working under pressure to get the document submitted on time, it’s easy to get confused and forget something which determines whether you win or lose the bid. One way to avoid this is to use a proposal checklist to identify each requirements in the Request For Proposal.
Request For Proposal Checklist
Use this checklist when proofing your bid and, especially before sending your proposal to the printer:
Official Request For Proposal Documentation
Is the following information correct?
- Request For Proposal Name
- Document Owner
- Request For Proposal Description
- Received date
- Closing Date
- Date Submitted
- QA Completed (Yes/No)
Proposal Writing team and Contributors
Do you have all the necessary information from the writing/bid team:
Content Required from:
Date Content Required by:
Content Required from:
Date Content Required by:
Content Required from:
Date Content Required by:
Content Required from:
Date Content Required by:
Proposal Quality Control Checklist
As the Proposal Manager, complete the following quality control checklist:
- Identify contributors to the bid document
- Confirm dates for receiving documents
- Confirm Sign–off dates
- Confirm File format e.g. Word, PDF
- Confirm Number of hardcopy and softcopies required
Proposal Format, Style, & Grammar
The Proposal Manager can use the following checklist for each Business Proposal, when you check the bid for grammar, language, writing, technical details, cross-references and other information that relate to the bid:
Cross-Reference the Proposal against the Request For Proposal for:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Language (UK or US English)
- Publication Date on Document
- Each Chapters / Section has intro text.
- Footer has Date & Time
- Header and Footers have Titles
- Header has Version Number
- Graphic Layouts are correct
- Figures/Tables are numbered
- Correct Fonts e.g. Headings, Body Text etc
- Supporting Docs are included, e.g. CVs
- Remove Comments/Remarks
- Remove Blank pages
- Check Cut-and Paste data from other docs
- Page Layout set to A4
- Page Sequence is correct
- Tables layout is consistent
- Lists are consistent
- Bullets, Diagrams etc print Correctly.
- Print Draft Document(s)
- Circulate copies for review
- Collate all contributions
- Monitor Version Control
- Highlight gaps to Project Manager and/or Contributors
- Highlight issues to Project Manager and/or Contributors
- Make Backup copies of Working Docs
- Make Backup copies of Finished Version
- Graphic Designer Role in Proposal Development
- Ensure the Graphic Designer completes the following:
- Design/Print Request For Proposal Cover and Back
- Design/Print CD ROM Jewel Case Graphics
- Design/Print CD ROM Graphics
- Package CD
Proposal Print and Assembly Checklist
Even when you have finished all these steps, you can still trip up if you don’t have material to print, assembly and post the Proposal.
Ensure you have the following:
- Spare cartridges in stock
- Correct Paper in stock
- Check Spelling on Design Literature
- Burn CD and Package
- Check CD for correct contents
- File Graphics in Project Folder
- Check Printers are functioning
What else is needed to make sure each Proposal is submitted on time?
About the Author: Ivan Walsh provides business proposal writing tips, tutorials, and templates on the Proposal Writing Course every week. Get his free proposal writing newsletter here.