Preparing a Technical Proposal

1. “ Preparing Technical Proposals presented by Dr. Vijay D. Songire. Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Applied Sciences DattaMeghe College of Engineering, Airoli Navi Mumbai

2. Proposal Requirements A proposal provides sufficient information to persuade the reviewer that the proposed work represents an innovative and profitable approach to an important engineering problem. Learning Objectives • To acquaint the learner with the purpose ,characteristics and structure of a technical proposal • To develop his ability to write all its parts ,namely summary, Statement of the problem, objectives, Introduction, contents, plan/ methodology, conclusion etc.

3. Defining Technical proposal • “Proposal is any properly conceived idea, service, project or plan (whether theoretical or practical in nature) is put forth for action or implementation.” • A proposal is a written offer by one party to provide a product or service to another party in exchange for money. • Proposals are written offers to solve a technical problem or to undertake a project of practical or theoretical nature.

4. Continue… • A proposal is a document that lists and defines the technicalrequirements of a contract or project, and explains the approach and plan formulated to address them. • A proposal is a sales presentation, seeking to persuade the reader to accept the written plan for accomplishing a task. • The proposal aims at getting the approval or acceptance of what one wants to do.

5. Purpose behind writing Proposal • To maintain valuable records. • Effective tool to win contracts. • Tools to promote various activities. • Means of financial returns. • Index documents of company’s growth.

6. Types of Proposals • Business proposal • Research Proposal • Technical proposal • Solicited Proposal: • A proposal is often prepared in response to a demand or an invitation from an authorized person within an organization or from an outside agency such as a government dept., a research organization or a public or private undertaking. • Unsolicited Proposal: • Sometimes a person may on his own initiative prepare a proposal to solve a problem or to meet a specific need as perceived by him

7. Continue… • A sales proposal is a written sales pitch created by the sales professional that outlines the new idea, service or product to educate the client and generate interest. • The sales proposal may also be combined with a demonstration of how the product or idea will benefit the client

8. Technical Proposal Writing • Objectives • Style • correct format • Completeness • Leave enough time to polish the document

9. Topics for Technical Proposal • Proposal for installation of CC TV Cameras • Proposal for up-gradation of Auto Cad Software • Proposal for installation of High Tech Digital Language Lab (HTDLL) • Proposal for installation of Automatic Tea Coffee Vending Machine • Proposal for installation of Biometric Attendance System • Proposal for implementing Moodle System • Proposal for starting of Professional Courses in college • Proposal for a Three day workshop on Communication Skills for Effective Teaching • Proposal for Establishing an Agricultural tool Manufacturing Unit • Proposal for Modernization/Establishing of Language Laboratory Facility • Proposal for providing Bus facility • Proposal for Women security

10. Continue… • Providing Health Club facilities • 24*7 ATM Facility • Proposal for Parking Facility for Vehicles • Proposal for Online Attendance System via Biometric system • Proposal for House Keeping in an organization • Proposal for Employee Development Program • Proposal for Computer Centre in organization

11. Writing Style • A clear writing style greatly aids in getting your point across • Unclear writing makes the reviewer to work harder, and it will usually cost you in the end • Start with an outline, containing important points you want to make for each section of the proposal • Then, develop a single paragraph for each point you want to make.

12. Main Structure – Technical Proposal • Title Page : name, qualification, to whom it is submitted, date • Executive Summary :Name , Qualification, Experience, Duration of project, Budget cost tentative • Objectives : target statement • Introduction :Background and Significance • Managerial Plan :Requirements, strategies, workforce etc. • Conclusion : It is brief and convincing in nature. It is here where the writer of the proposal tries to persuade the readers for accepting the proposal. It positively shows the readers that how the proposal is going to benefit for them. • Budget : Details of overall cost • References : if there is any

13. Background / Significance • This part describes the background relevant to the problem at hand • You also use this section to convince the reviewer that you are aware of the important background literature for the problem • You usually want to discuss what benefits will be produced by the proposed work • Suggested number of pages: 1 page

14. Validation and Testing • Describe your proposed techniques for determining if the device works, and otherwise meets your requirements (this information will be summarized in your Milestones)

15. Both Project Types: Legal and Regulatory Issues • What special legal or regulatory issues do you have? • FDA approval needed? • IRB / IACUC approval needed ? • societal issues involved?

16. Description of the plan proposed • Organize your proposed experiments by Specific Aim • Describe in detail the experiments you will perform for this Aim. • If you have a lot of experimental details you want to include, put in a separate section following this one entitled “General Methods” • The goal for this section is to give a clear description of the details of your approach to test the project hypotheses • ( 1 page)