Project Proposal

Writing
Thinking
Strategically

Difference between a traditional project

proposal approach and a design-thinking
approach to Project Proposal Writing
Key Takeaway:
Rationality/Objectivity Vs
Human Experience

What to consider when writing

Project Proposals
Visualization
Journey Mapping
Value Chain Analysis
Mind Mapping
Brain Storming
Rapid Concept Development
Assumption Testing

(contd.)
Rapid Prototyping
Customer Co-creation
Learning Launches
Key Takeaway: Learning of a broadened
set of skills and acquiring knowledge in
these areas

The Design-based Project

Proposal
What is? (a true picture of reality)

What if? (thinking outside the box)

What clicks!? (reality+creativity)
What wows or works? (execution: The How
to: plan of action)

Designed-based Proposals

Activity: Write a short proposal outline for

constructing a guard room

Project Proposal
Writing
Project
Scope Creep

Activity: Project Proposal

You have been given a project of
constructing a 4-bedroom house. While
construction is underway, suddenly a need
arises to construct one additional room,
making the total number of rooms five.
How would you manage that project
change?

Scope Creep?
A slight deviation or major occurrence that
changes the actual project
Difference between Scope and Purpose?

Purpose
The general outcome (benefit) of a project
for an organization: What

Scope
What that has been agreed to deliver:
contents, elements, attributes, etc.:How

Scope Creep in Project Proposals

Involve right people key stakeholders (end
users functionality or Control Boards)
Analysis of past projects
Schedule for future changes that might
occur based on past experience

Scope Creep in Project Proposals

Scope-Creep Board
Set the rules?

Activity: Project Proposal

You have been given a project of
constructing a 4-bedroom house. While
construction is underway, suddenly a need
arises to construct one additional room,
making the total number of rooms five.
How would you manage that project
change?

How to deal with Scope Change?

Set the rulesSet the Limit: Anything more than 3%
change in the project will require a formal
request
Project Size: We best do projects that fall
within a range of PKR 3 to 5 million
Set a Guideline for Scope Change: How
many major or minor modifications?

(contd.)
Periodic System Project Review to link up
all subprojects
Last but not least: Dont say no to scope
creep especially in a service industry

Project Proposal
Writing
Systems
Thinking

Systems Thinking: The Project Proposal

Writing Process in the Context of
Systems Thinking

Systems Thinking Steps

Focus on the issue
Develop and test assumptions (cause and
effect)
Draw conclusion (big to small picture or
vice versa or a hybrid approach)

Project Proposal
Writing
Getting
Approval

Points to consider
Work from prospects or readers point of
view
Follow a disciplined process for RFPs
Thorough Research
Timeline and Responsibilities outline

Crafting Executive Summary

Analysis
Scope
Recommendations
Implementation Highlights
Benefits
Rule: ES should not be more than 15%

Recap

Thank you