PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT:
Task #1: Read pages 420-440 in your handbook – Proposals.
Task #2: Instructions for the Unsolicited Planning Proposal Assignment
Please note that this is a major assignment involving research. Even though this is a group assignment and the topic is the same, (I expect you to share data and have the same ancillary material (charts, tables, figures, etc.) each group member must submit a proposal. Please read all of these instructions.
You may wish to consult the following websites for additional information on proposal writing:
For many proposals, there are six Basic Parts:
Introduction
Costs
Problem
Benefits/Objectives
Solution
Conclusion
Your assignment:
Please read all of these instructions. You will need to do this assignment over the next few weeks; plan your time wisely; do not plan on being able to do this assignment in one evening. (Proposals are due on Monday, May 1 by noon.)
Here are the instructions for the Unsolicited Planning Proposal Assignment. I am giving you the directions for this so you can read and become familiar with this assignment now. If you have any questions, please arrange a time to meet with me.
Description of the Unsolicited Planning Proposal Assignment:
Write an original researched-based unsolicited planning proposal in report format that is a minimum of 5 single-spaced pages (excluding document supplements and Works Cited/Reference page. Consult handbook for examples and additional instructions.) This will be an internal proposal. The Proposal Structure will be a modification of the material found on p. 421 of your handbook.
Description of the Unsolicited Planning Proposal Assignment:
(assignment is a collaborative effort with Judy Hauser DMACC 2004 and Alzire Messenger 2006)
Write an original researched-based unsolicited planning proposal in report format that is a minimum of 5 single-spaced pages (excluding document supplements and Works Cited/Reference page).
- Propose a community service project for schools such as an anti-drug, anti-crime, AIDS, pregnancy, gangs, stay in school program, etc. These presentations are to be given to middle school or upper elementary students. (You may wish to give them something to take home-pamphlet, bumper sticker (DARE), posters yard signs, etc.)
- Proposal to your boss/business about an area/section/department that requires change, upgrading, renovation, etc. For example, you may wish to implement a wellness program after work, including nutrition and/or weight loss, or start an at work daycare). These changes should benefit (profit) the company.
- Proposal to another company for services – landscape the outside of your building, include a new fitness center, or in-house daycare.
- Proposal for your company to sponsor a charity event such as a blood drive or road race (Race for the Cure).
- Propose to your boss that an area/section/department needs changing -- updating, renovation, redecorating, etc. For example, you might believe better work productivity would result if the workers had a more pleasant break room. The change proposed should benefit/profit the company/business.
- I must approve other suggestions that you may have. If the project does not have my stamp of approval, you cannot do it.
One of these options must be followed, and you’ll need to let me know which one you’ve selected. There should be enough flexibility in the options for all of you to find a suitable topic.
Unsolicited Planning Proposals that aren’t derived from this list of options won’t be accepted.
Requirements for the Unsolicited Planning Proposal Assignment:
- Achieved with a minimum of 5 single-spaced pages excluding required and choice documents, supplements and Works Cited page.
2. Written in report format (well-developed paragraphs with parallel structure, headings, clarity and conciseness).
- Created this semester specifically for this class (no revisions of former work).
- Written for a specific, identifiable audience that is discussed in the Audience and Use Profile.
- Achieved with the following required document supplements: letter of transmittal, table of contents, and bibliography.
- Achieved with at least one of the following document supplements of your choice: list of tables, figures, and/or visuals
- Achieved with a minimum of four visuals.
- Achieved with research from a minimum of three sources, one of which must be from a professional journal/publication associated with the topic. (I will check sources).
- Achieved with documentation of primary and secondary sources using proper in-text citation strategies and a Works Cited page in MLA format.
Please refer to the follow format for writing your proposal.
1) INTRODUCTION
Overview of both substance and process of proposal
SUBJECT line (memo format): brief but specific – NOT: "Recommended Solutions" INSTEAD: "Recommended Water Waste Treatment"
Follow with 2-3 sentence opening paragraph: " I request permission to spend two weeks writing, testing, and implementing a program to solve our problem with scheduling conference rooms."
Reserve full description of the solution until you have discussed problem (unsolicited proposal = reader motivation/benefit)
Answers these reader questions in introduction: -- What problem are you proposing to solve? --In general, what solution are you proposing? -- Why are you proposing it? --What are the benefits of doing this?
2) PROBLEM
(unsolicited: description of problem is crucial to success of proposal)
Readers must see problem as real and important to them: "Why do we need to do this?"
Shows that problem is worth solving, from the reader's point of view
Addresses boss concerns: time. money. morale
Uses visuals to help show severity of the problem
3) SOLUTION
("O.K., I'm convinced we've got an important problem. So how are you proposing we solve it?") (You need to propose 2 possible solutions for this problem.)
DETAILED AND AUTHORITATIVE.
States clearly the actual work to be done; schedules show implementability/feasibility ("Will this work? When and how will this interfere with other work?")
Facilities, equipment/other resources, your qualifications, management plan--all increase persuasiveness of proposal
4) OBJECTIVES
May have one or several objectives
Make them measurable ("To increase profit margin to 14%." "To decrease employee absenteeism by 3% a month." "To reduce our copying expenses by 20%.")
Always make objectives SPECIFIC: reader/boss must see anticipated results in objective, believable, attractive terms
(Objectives of proposed work lead to solution of problem. Benefits are the positive reasons for using ~ proposal written to meet those objectives.)
5) COST
("How much of a reader/organization investment are you asking for?")
Quantitative abstract of the document (expresses your proposal in the medium of $$)
Budget analysis is important: What value will the reader get from your idea?) Calculate savings to be realized from your project to demonstrate the reasonableness of your costs.
Noticeably high or low budgets hurt proposal's chances of success
OVERALL proposal "body" questions:
What is the problem and why do we need to solve it? * How will it be done?
When will it be done?
What material, methods, and personnel will it require?
How long will it take?
Will it interfere with ongoing work?
How much will it cost? Why?
What results can we expect?
How do we know it will work?
Who will do it?
6) CONCLUSION
(Reiterate the what and the why of the proposal)
Restates the need for the proposal
How badly do we need this change? Why should we approve this project? How do we know this is the best plan?
Encourages reader to ACT; asks for authorization
Upbeat, encouraging, confident, assertive, SHORT
Briefly outlines any subsequent action to be taken to go forward on this project
Be sure to proofread. Proposal may be rejected if errors appear.
Reminder! This is a proposal. Do not recopy the outlined items and hand it in as your report. Be sure to look over the examples for guidance on how to write your proposal.