3 Define your solution. This should be straightforward and easy to understand. Once
you set the issue you're addressing, how would you like to solve it? Get it as narrow (and
doable) as possible.
Don't: forget to comply with all requirements in the RFP (request for proposal) document. Do: go above and beyond the minimum whenever budget allows. Your proposal needs to define a problem and offer a solution that will convince un-
interested, skeptical readers to support it. Your audience may not be the easiest crowd to
win over. Is the solution you're offering logical and feasible? What's the timeline for your
implementation?
Consider thinking about your solution in terms of objectives. Your primary objec-
tive is the goal that you absolutely must achieve with your project. Secondary objectives
are other goals that you hope your project achieves.
Another helpful way of thinking about your solution is in terms of "outcomes" and
"deliverables." Outcomes are the quantifiable results of your objectives. For example, if
your proposal is for a business project and your objective is "increase profit," an outcome
might be "increase profit by $100,000." Deliverables are products or services that you
will deliver with your project. For example, a proposal for a science project could "de-
liver" a vaccine or a new drug. Readers of proposals look for outcomes and deliverables,
because they are easy ways of determining what the "worth" of the project will be.
4 Keep elements of style in mind. Depending on your proposal and who'll be reading
it, you need to cater your paper to fit a certain style. What do they expect? Are they inter-
ested in your problem?