Proposal Forming

Overview of steps

  1. Identify a problem or opportunity
  2. Raise the topic with others
  3. Research and document
  4. Draft the proposal
  5. Solicit constructive feedback
  6. Run the proposal
  7. Implement

Step detail

1. Identify a problem or opportunity

You should be able to summarise the problem in 1-3 sentences.

Keep it clear where you are trying to get to.

Forming your problem/opportunity statement

  1. Where we’re at: the current situation
  2. What the problem/opportunity is
  3. What the desired outcome will be

2. Raise the topic with others

Check whether it is a problem that has already been discussed and/or investigated, as there may already be information and decisions to consider.

See if there’s anyone who will support you in forming your proposal.

3. Research

Research

Step 1: Do some blue-sky thinking. See what other people have done, sketch some ideas down and ask others for possible solutions.

Step 2: List out all of the possible solutions you’ve come across and choose your preferred one.

Although you will only present one solution, it’s very rare that there is only one option available to a problem, so show you have done due diligence by considering them. This will often help raise complications/considerations so note these down as you go.

4. Draft the proposal

Using the proposal template document.

One of your aims should be to reduce the number of clarifying questions that are asked when the proposal is run.

5. Solicit constructive feedback

This is where you share the proposal document so far, and get feedback on it from at least one other person.

You should try to gather critical concerns beforehand so you can adapt the proposal accordingly.

6. Run the proposal

  1. Make sure you’ve consulted the right people beforehand
  2. Give people time to read the proposal in the session
  3. If there are many questions/critical concerns and you can’t complete the process within the available time, arrange to complete it another time.

If the proposal takes longer than you would like it to, it’s fine.

7. Implement

If the proposal has been passed, you are responsible for ensuring next steps are implemented.

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