WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

Trade for Aid Professional Project Management – 29th March – 2nd April 2010
Author: Nicolas Tomecko
PROPOSAL WRITING COMPONENTS

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

INTRODUCE

APPENDIX PURPOSE

BUDGET OBJECTIVES

PARTNER
EVALUATE METHODS INVOLVEMENT
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT
PROPOSALS

PART 1
INTRODUCTION

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

Introduce the Topic

Give Background and Organizational

Qualifications

Contextual Information
Link to Donor/Funder needs

Catch the Attention of the Reader

PURPOSE

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

Show importance
PROBLEM and significance of
problem

Show familiarity Demonstrate that

with research and PURPOSE the problem can
the topic be solved

INDICATORS SOLUTION

Involve
Stakeholders
OBJECTIVES

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

CREDIBLE
OBJECTIVES

S.M.A.R.T.

CONCISE
Specific
Measurable Be careful!
Attainable Don’t confuse
Relevant with methods
CLEAR AND
Time-bound
SIMPLE
METHODOLOGY SLIDE 1

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

TOOLS AND
DATA MODELS
COLLECTION
+ FEASIBILITY
STUDY

MILESTONES

PARTNERS

EFFECTIVE METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY SLIDE 2

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

EFFECTIVE METHODOLOGY

INDICATE HOW DISCUSS RISKS

OBJECTIVES AND WHY YOUR
WILL BE METHODS WILL
ACCOMPLISHED SUCCEED

TIME SCHEDULE CLEAR DATA

AND GANNT COLLECTION
CHART METHODOLOGY
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT
PROPOSALS

END OF PART 1
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT
PROPOSALS

PART 2
EVALUATION SLIDE 1

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

FUNDER
GUIDELINES
OR RULES

OBJECTIVELY
VERIFIABLE
INDICATORS

MEANS OF
VERIFICATION
EVALUATION SLIDE 2

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PROJECT?
HOW TO IMPROVE IT?

Define what you mean by Determine what information Identify the analytical tools
“Evaluation” and how to collect this data you will use

Identify what will be evaluated Summarize the resulting data

and why
Determine the methods for
evaluation based on project
objectives
Complete evaluation design
analysis
(what will it show?)
Identify how you will analyze
the data Timing/Schedule
(practical and relevant)
Optional: Prepare sample
analysis tables/charts

CLEAR EVALUATION PLAN

BUDGET

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

Justify Major
Budget Categories
Credibility
Statement

Relevant
Special
Appendices Clear Cost
for Unusual
Explanations
Evaluation
Requests Costs

BUDGET
Separate
Direct/Indirect

Correct Sufficient
Format? Resources?
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
APPENDIX
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS

SUMMARISE THE WHOLE PROJECT
PROPOSAL

AFTER COVER PAGE

SHORT AND CLEAR

NORMALLY 1-2 PAGES

(LONGER IF LONG PROPOSAL e.g. 100pgs)

INCLUDE PURPOSE, KEY ISSUES, AND METHODS USED

 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT
PROPOSALS

END OF PART 2
COMMON WEAKNESSES, DO’S AND DON’TS & WRITING TIPS
Issues that Lead to Failure or Success
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
COMMON WEAKNESSES

PROPOSAL ISSUES SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

• Name/Title of Project • Audit Requirements

• Purpose and Key Goals • Staff/Experts Credibility

• Strategies, Targets, Timelines • No letters of Support

• Evaluation and Sustainability • Not establish Contact with

Responsible Person
• Negative Wording

MEET YOUR DEADLINES!!

 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S DON’TS
CAPTURE THE READER’S
PROBLEM IS NOT IMPORTANT
ATTENTION

ALWAYS BE CLEAR AND CONCISE PROPOSAL IS UNFOCUSSED

ALWAYS INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS PROJECT IS TOO LARGE

UNDERTAKE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT HAVE WEAK RATIONALE

LINK PROJECT GOALS TO DONOR

OR FUNDER GOALS WRITING IS VAGUE

S.M.A.R.T. OBJECTIVES UNCERTAIN OUTCOMES

METHODS SHOULD LINK TO

HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
OBJECTIVES
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S DON’TS

HAVE CLEAR MILESTONES USE JARGON

AVOID FAILURES OF PREVIOUS

USE “TRENDY” WORDS
PROJECTS

BUDGET SHOULD BE REALISTIC

FEW ABBREVIATIONS
AND CREDIBLE

RELATE BUDGET COMPONENTS

USE CASUAL EXPRESSIONS
TO PROJECT OBJECTIVES

FOLLOW THE DONOR OR FUNDER

REDUNDANT PHRASES
FORMAT!

BE AWARE OF DONOR OR
CONFUSING LANGUAGE
FUNDER AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

ADD EXTRA SUPPORTING PUT KEY EVIDENCE IN THE

DOCUMENTATION IN APPENDIX APPENDIX
FINAL WRITING TIPS

USE BOLD TEXT – BUT ONLY WHEN EMPHASIZING SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT

CHECK AND RE-CHECK THE PROPOSAL GUIDELINES – AND FOLLOW THEM!

EDIT, RE-EDIT AND EDIT AGAIN! COMPONENTS IN RIGHT PLACE AND SAYING THE RIGHT THING

USE CLEAR HEADINGS AND FONTS – DO NOT USE STYLISH FONTS

USE LISTS WHEN APPROPRIATE TO BREAK-UP TEXT AND CLARIFY POINTS

USE RAGGED RIGHT MARGINS – DO NOT JUSTIFY – IT IS HARDER TO READ

USE WHITE SPACE EFFCTIVELY – BREAK-UP TEXT TO MAKE IDEAS AND CONCEPTS CLEAR AND
SEPARATED
 WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT PROPOSALS
WRITING POWERFUL PROJECT
PROPOSALS

END OF SESSION