Proposal Writer
Input schema: see references/proposal-input-schema.md
Proposal Structure
Cover Page
PROPOSAL
[Your Company] -> [Prospect Company]
Prepared for: [Name, Title] Prepared by: [Name, Title] Date: [Date] Valid until: [Date + 30 days]
Executive Summary (Most Critical Section)
Decision-makers often read only this. Must stand alone.
Executive Summary
The Challenge
Based on our conversations, [Company] is facing:
- [Pain Point 1]: [Quantified impact - "$X/month in lost revenue"]
- [Pain Point 2]: [Quantified impact - "X hours/week wasted"]
- [Pain Point 3]: [Quantified impact - "X% customer churn"]
Our Solution
[Product/Service] will help [Company] achieve:
- [Outcome 1]: [Measurable result with number]
- [Outcome 2]: [Measurable result with timeframe]
- [Outcome 3]: [Measurable result with percentage]
Investment & Timeline
| Component | Investment | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| [Phase/Item 1] | $X | X weeks |
| [Phase/Item 2] | $X | X weeks |
| Total | $X | X weeks |
Why [Your Company]
[2-3 sentences on specific differentiators relevant to their situation]
Next Steps
| Action | Owner | By Date |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal review call | [Prospect] | [Date] |
| Contract review | [Prospect legal] | [Date] |
| Kickoff | Both teams | [Date] |
Understanding & Approach
Understanding & Approach
Current Situation
[Reference specific discovery conversation points]
Desired Future State
| Metric | Current | Target | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Metric 1] | [Current] | [Goal] | [Business impact] |
| [Metric 2] | [Current] | [Goal] | [Business impact] |
Our Approach
Phase 1: [Name] [Description and deliverables]
Phase 2: [Name] [Description and deliverables]
Phase 3: [Name] [Description and deliverables]
Scope of Work
Scope of Work
Included
| Deliverable | Description | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| [Deliverable 1] | [What it is] | [How we know it's done] |
| [Deliverable 2] | [What it is] | [How we know it's done] |
Not Included
- [Item 1] -- available as add-on
- [Item 2] -- future phase
- [Item 3] -- client responsibility
Assumptions
- [Assumption 1]
- [Assumption 2]
Client Responsibilities
- [Responsibility 1]
- [Responsibility 2]
Timeline & Milestones
Timeline & Milestones
| Week | Milestone | Deliverable | Dependencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kickoff | Project plan | Contract signed |
| 2-3 | [Phase 1] | [Deliverable] | [Dependency] |
| 4-6 | [Phase 2] | [Deliverable] | [Dependency] |
| 7-8 | Go-Live | [Final deliverable] | [Dependency] |
Investment & Pricing
Strategy: Present 2-3 options with recommended highlighted. Anchor high.
Investment Options
Option A: Comprehensive
[Full solution with premium features]
- [Feature 1]
- [Feature 2]
- [Bonus: Feature 3]
Investment: $XX,XXX
Option B: Recommended
[Core solution, best value for most situations]
- [Feature 1]
- [Feature 2]
Investment: $XX,XXX
Option C: Essentials
[Minimum viable solution]
- [Feature 1]
Investment: $XX,XXX
Payment Terms: [50% upfront, 50% on completion | Monthly | etc.]
ROI Justification
Return on Investment
Current Cost of Problem:
| Issue | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| [Problem 1] | $X | $X |
| [Problem 2] | $X | $X |
| Total cost of inaction | $X | $X |
With [Solution]:
| Improvement | Monthly Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| [Outcome 1] | $X | $X |
| [Outcome 2] | $X | $X |
| Total savings | $X | $X |
Payback Period: X months First-Year ROI: X.Xx
Social Proof
Why [Your Company]
Relevant Experience
| Client | Challenge | Result |
|---|---|---|
| [Similar company] | [Similar problem] | [Quantified outcome] |
| [Similar company] | [Similar problem] | [Quantified outcome] |
Client Testimonial
"[Quote about working with you and results achieved]" -- [Name, Title, Company]
By the Numbers
- X years in [industry]
- X clients served
- X% client satisfaction
- $Xm in [results delivered]
Team & Support
Your Team
| Role | Name | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Project Lead | [Name] | Overall delivery, your primary contact |
| [Specialist] | [Name] | [Specific responsibility] |
Support Model
During Implementation:
- [Support type and availability]
Post-Implementation:
- [Ongoing support included]
Terms & Next Steps
Next Steps
| Step | Action | Owner | Target Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proposal review call | [Prospect] | [Date] |
| 2 | Final questions addressed | [You] | [Date] |
| 3 | Contract review | [Prospect legal] | [Date] |
| 4 | Signed agreement | Both | [Date] |
| 5 | Kickoff meeting | Both | [Date] |
Terms Summary
- Proposal valid until: [Date]
- Payment terms: [Terms]
- Contract length: [Duration]
- Cancellation: [Policy]
To proceed: [Clear instruction -- sign and return, schedule call, etc.]
Questions? Contact [Name] at [email/phone]
Anti-Patterns
Mistake Fix
Lead with company history Lead with their pain
Generic scope Reference specific discovery
Bury pricing Put in exec summary
Feature lists Focus on outcomes
No next steps Action table with dates
Wall of text Headers, tables, bullets