34 Ways to Review Request For Proposals

rfp-review

If your next Business Proposal is for an important client, and you’re working under pressure to get the document submitted on time, it’s easy to get confused and forget something which determines whether you win or lose the bid. One way to avoid this is to use a proposal checklist to identify each requirements in the Request For Proposal.

Request For Proposal Checklist

Use this checklist when proofing your bid and, especially before sending your proposal to the printer:

Official Request For Proposal Documentation

Is the following information correct?

  • Request For Proposal Name
  • Document Owner
  • Request For Proposal Description
  • Received date
  • Closing Date
  • Date Submitted
  • QA Completed (Yes/No)

Proposal Writing team and Contributors

Do you have all the necessary information from the writing/bid team:

Content Required from:

Date Content Required by:

Content Required from:

Date Content Required by:

Content Required from:

Date Content Required by:

Content Required from:

Date Content Required by:

Proposal Quality Control Checklist

As the Proposal Manager, complete the following quality control checklist:

  1. Identify contributors to the bid document
  2. Confirm dates for receiving documents
  3. Confirm Sign–off dates
  4. Confirm File format e.g. Word, PDF
  5. Confirm Number of hardcopy and softcopies required

Proposal Format, Style, & Grammar

The Proposal Manager can use the following checklist for each Business Proposal, when you check the bid for grammar, language, writing, technical details, cross-references and other information that relate to the bid:

Cross-Reference the Proposal against the Request For Proposal for:

  1. Spelling
  2. Grammar
  3. Language (UK or US English)
  4. Publication Date on Document
  5. Each Chapters / Section has intro text.
  6. Footer has Date & Time
  7. Header and Footers have Titles
  8. Header has Version Number
  9. Graphic Layouts are correct
  10. Figures/Tables are numbered
  11. Correct Fonts e.g. Headings, Body Text etc
  12. Supporting Docs are included, e.g. CVs
  13. Remove Comments/Remarks
  14. Remove Blank pages
  15. Check Cut-and Paste data from other docs
  16. Page Layout set to A4
  17. Page Sequence is correct
  18. Tables layout is consistent
  19. Lists are consistent
  20. Bullets, Diagrams etc print Correctly.
  21. Print Draft Document(s)
  22. Circulate copies for review
  23. Collate all contributions
  24. Monitor Version Control
  25. Highlight gaps to Project Manager and/or Contributors
  26. Highlight issues to Project Manager and/or Contributors
  27. Make Backup copies of Working Docs
  28. Make Backup copies of Finished Version
  29. Graphic Designer Role in Proposal Development
  30. Ensure the Graphic Designer completes the following:
  31. Design/Print Request For Proposal Cover and Back
  32. Design/Print CD ROM Jewel Case Graphics
  33. Design/Print CD ROM Graphics
  34. Package CD

Proposal Print and Assembly Checklist

Even when you have finished all these steps, you can still trip up if you don’t have material to print, assembly and post the Proposal.

Ensure you have the following:

  • Spare cartridges in stock
  • Correct Paper in stock
  • Check Spelling on Design Literature
  • Burn CD and Package
  • Check CD for correct contents
  • File Graphics in Project Folder
  • Check Printers are functioning

What else is needed to make sure each Proposal is submitted on time?

About the Author: Ivan Walsh provides business proposal writing tips, tutorials, and templates on the Proposal Writing Course every week. Get his free proposal writing newsletter here.

Free and Premium MS Word, Excel and Apple iWork Templates

Acceptance Test Plan

Contingency Plan

Software Development Templates

Acquisition Plan

Conversion Plan

Software Requirements Specification

Action Plan

Cost Benefit Analysis

Software Testing

API Documentation

Database Design

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Audience Analysis

Datasheet

Statement of Work

Availability Plan

Deployment Plan

System Administration Guide

Bill of Materials

Design Document

System Boundary

Business Case

Disaster Recovery Plan

System Design Document

Business Continuity

Disposition Plan

System Specifications

Business Plan

Documentation Plan

Technical Writing Templates

Business Process

Employee Handbook

Test Plan

Business Requirements

Error Message Guide

Training Plan

Business Rules

Expression of Interest

Transition Plan

Capacity Plan

Fact Sheet

Troubleshooting Guide

Case Study

Feasibility Study

Use Case

Change Management Plan

Functional Requirements

User Guide

Communication Plan

Grant Proposal

Verification and Validation Plan

Concept of Operations

Implementation Plan

White Papers

Concept Proposal

Installation Plan

Work Instructions

Configuration Management Plan

Interface Control Document

Software Development Templates

Acceptance Test Plan

Maintenance Plan

Software Requirements Specification

Acquisition Plan

Market Research

Software Testing

Action Plan

Marketing Plan

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

API Documentation

Needs Statement

Statement of Work

Audience Analysis

Operations Guide

System Administration Guide

Availability Plan

Policy Manual

System Boundary

Bill of Materials

Project Plan

System Design Document

Business Case

Proposal Manager Templates

System Specifications

Business Continuity

Proposal Template

Technical Writing Templates

Business Plan

Quality Assurance Plan

Test Plan

Business Process

Release Notes

Training Plan

Business Requirements

Request for Proposal

Transition Plan

Business Rules

Risk Management Plan

Troubleshooting Guide

Capacity Plan

Scope of Work

Use Case

Case Study

Security Plan

User Guide

Change Management Plan

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Verification and Validation Plan

Communication Plan

Setup Guide

White Papers

Concept of Operations

Social Media Policy

Work Instructions

Concept Proposal

Contingency Plan

 

Configuration Management Plan

Conversion Plan