Written Proposal - First Graded Submission (200 points):
Learning objectives:
- Target a results-oriented business audience.
- Write and edit so that your messages are clear, concise and precise.
- Apply critical thinking skills and increase your ability to interpret, analyze, evaluate, conclude and explain.
- Identify, assess and apply credible information sources to develop and support arguments.
Your full written proposal must include the following:
Cover pagethat includes your name, the title of the proposal, the date, andthe audience to whom you are sending the proposal.
Executive Summary(This is a separate page at the beginning of the proposal and not included in the three-page proposal.):
- The executive summary is where you concisely present your idea and give the reader the main "takeaway" of your proposal. Don’t focus on covering every detail. Instead, give an overview of the main details—your idea, the problem/need/opportunity it addresses, overall cost, and timing—focusing on the outcomes/conclusion you want the reader to understand.
- Your summary should be less than one page and should be on its own page. Be direct by leading with your "purpose statement" (for example, "The Fox School of Business should expand its … ").
- Your executive summary is not an introduction to your proposal. It should stand alone as a separate document. You should write your summaryafteryou've written your proposal.
Proposal:
Introduction:
- Short description of what you are proposing.
Definition of the problem/need/opportunity:
- Give background information to help the reader understand the need for the idea(s) you’re proposing. Be specific and reference outside sources that help to support your rationale for the need/opportunity. (You must include in-text APA-style citations to cite your sources.)
Proposed Project Details
- Give in-depth, realistic/"actionable" details and specifics related to your proposed concept (e.g. if you’re proposing a one-credit course, here’s where you would suggest specific learning objectives, assignments, who would teach/manage the course, etc...).
- Be sure to include strategies for creating awareness of what you are proposing. For example, if you are proposing a service/course/program for students, consider ways to "get the word out" to students. Also include ways to get positive publicity for Temple (if your proposal is Temple-related) or other organization to whom you are proposing your idea. Consider multiple communication channels for your target audiences. (Remember that not everyone you want to reach will see your social media.)
- Provide any relevant market-analysis (source-based evidence) to demonstrate how what you are proposing operates effectively at a similar organization. This will help prove that your idea is realistic and worthwhile.
- Your goal in this section is to give enough detail so that your reader can visualize the final product of what you’re proposing.
Implementation Plan/Timeline:
- Summarize what steps need to occur, and when, to implement what you propose. Again, consider not only steps for implementation, but also for communicating with key audiences.
- Reference your appendix for a visual graphic of your timeline and other supporting visuals.
Budget:
- Summarize initial costs and, if applicable, forecast revenues (Reference an appendix for full visual cost-breakdown.)
Audience-focused benefits of your proposal:
- Remember to address both those who the proposal directly benefits and the organization (your audience) that will implement what you propose.
Conclusion:
- Briefly reiterate your main points, especially the need and benefits, and suggest a next step in the process to implement your proposal.
Appendices:
- Include any larger graphics here (such as a visual timeline and budget table, as well as other supporting graphics.) Please include a short description for each graphic (what your graphic describes/represents).
- Also include any supporting information from your research-sources here. Examples include research-data or news/article clips that support your need/opportunity statement (background), or information from similar organizations (market competition) about programs/services they offer like that you propose. (Website screenshots would work for this purpose.)
- Include, as a separate last page, your APA-style references used in your proposal.
Format Requirements:
- The proposal should comprise about three pages (not including cover page, executive summary and appendices) single spaced (double-spacing between sections).
- Use 1-inch margins and 12-point font.
- Use brevity tools such as section headers, bullet points, lists, timetables, charts, etc. (Note, however, that your ideas must be complete thoughts that are clear to your audience.)
- Use in-text APA citations in the body of your proposal; these must clearly connect to your references list at the end.
At a minimum, you should include a visual timeline (there’s a template for this in Microsoft Word), a table or chart outlining the budget/costs, and at least one other relevant visual.