I would like to know what is the difference between internal and external proposals, and if possible can you name the elements of each one?
Thank you, it is appreciated
go to this site; it gives great explications about internal proposals, it helped me out a lot when I had to do one
http://www.internetraining.com/6art1.htm
good luck!
What to include in a formal proposal
A formal proposal, such as one you would submit in response to an RFP, should always start with a title page, a table of contents, and an executive summary or abstract of the proposal. After this introduction, include the following main sections, titled as appropriate for the project and further subdivided, as necessary:
Introduction: Break this into two parts. First, introduce yourself and your organization, if applicable, and summarize your qualifications. (You’ll go into greater depth later.) Second, introduce the issues by summarizing your understanding of the client’s problem.
Discussion of the problem: Extend the second part of the introduction here with the goal of demonstrating your comprehension of the issues. Analyze the requirements established in the RFP and briefly discuss the possible approaches to solving the problem. Finally, explain the approach you propose and why it is the best solution.
Proposed project: Detail exactly how you intend to deliver the solution. Don’t limit it to a discussion of the technology. Provide the specifics of the implementation, including:
All major phases, tasks, and the expected results.
Schedules for all of the above.
Functions; if you’ll be working with a staff or a colleague, specify duties.
A detailed cost analysis, breaking down your direct and indirect costs, covering supplies, labor, and other expenses.
Experience: Go further into your qualifications, providing the following:
Your resume and those of other key players, if applicable
A description of your resources, such as office facilities and equipment
A summary of past projects relevant to the proposed solution (For example, you could outline a brief case study that notes how much money you saved another client with a similar approach.)
Appendices: If necessary, attach as appendices any material that isn’t directly relevant but supports the proposal. This is the appropriate place for letters of recommendation from previous clients or reports or studies to reinforce claims you’ve made elsewhere.
Use flowcharts and graphics where appropriate throughout the proposal for elements such as organizational charts, milestones, and implementation phases. These visual aids help keep reader attention and reinforce your text.
For all but the largest projects, your proposal is likely to be between 25 and 50 pages. I’ve found that the discussion of the technology and the implementation description and schedules take up the largest amount of space.
If you’re truly knowledgeable about how you plan to solve the client’s needs, you’ll find that writing the description goes quickly. If you find yourself at a loss to explain your solution, it’s likely that you need to tweak the solution, not the proposal.
How to write a less formal proposal
An extended proposal isn’t appropriate in every circumstance. At those times, you still want to include some of the elements from a formal proposal, but you can do so in a less formal manner. If you’re summarizing a solution after a few meetings with a client instead of responding to an RFP, consider submitting what’s called a letter proposal. (It is so called because it resembles a long letter.) In this approach, you explain your qualifications and offer a detailed outline of your solutions.
With the letter proposal, you don’t need to use as many graphics and you may not want to go into as much detail in a cost analysis. Depending on how much you know about the project, you may suggest a price range rather than a fixed price.
After the proposal
So you labored away and submitted your proposal―now what? Generally, an RFP notes the date by which a contract will be awarded. It’s possible that the client will contact you in the meantime and may even invite you to meet with him or her or give a presentation on your proposal. This can indicate that you’re in contention for the contract, or the client may be asking this of all who have submitted proposals
:)
Hey there,
Well from my understanding the difference is quite simple..
A internal proposal is proposed from one entity within a business to another. for example, a Sales manager to the supply chain department.
An external proposal is submitted by a business to another business. the success of such a proposal will tend to lead to a vendor/client relationship between the two businesses.
An external business proposal or quotation is directed at external clients or customers. An internal business proposal is more commonly called a Business Case, is directed at other parts of the business, as a tool for internal change, for example.
External proposals tend to be driven by the request of the CEO while internal proposals are driven by department leaders across the board. CEO's tend to reach out for external proposals when a new direction is needed for the company, such as reorganization, merger and acquisition, consolidation, spin offs, product development/innovation. The major differences is the intent of the proposal, and that will drive the structure of the report with the majority of external proposals are created by company outsiders.
Hope it helps!
Hello,
I would like to know what is the difference between internal and external proposals, and if possible can you name the elements of each one?
Thank you, it is appreciated
