Lesson: Project Proposal

Content Standard: The learner understands the requirements of composing

academic writing and professional correspondence.

Performance Standard: The learner produces each type of academic writing and
professional correspondence following the properties of well-
written texts and process approach to writing.

Competency with Code: d. Project Proposal (EN11/12RWS-IVdg-12.3)

Objectives: 1. Identify the features of an effective project proposal;

2. Determine the purpose of a project proposal;
3. Define the context of a project proposal;
4. Produce an effective project proposal.

For Four Sessions: PROJECT PROPOSAL

INITIAL TASK
A. Form a group with three members each. In three minutes, list as many problems as you can
about your school. As a group, deliberate and select one problem which you think needs to be
prioritized. Within three to five minutes, describe the selected problem in detail.
B. As a group, think of a project that would solve or address your selected problem. Describe the
project and list steps that will undertake to make the project successful. Be ready to present it in
class.
Follow-up Questions:
1. Why do you think the problem you selected needs to be prioritized?
2. Do you think your project would significantly solve the problem? Why? What are its
limitations and how will you address them?
3. Have you experienced offering a proposal to another person? Were you successful?
Barrot, Jessie S. Academic Reading and Writing For Senior High School. C&E Publishing, Inc.2016.

DISCUSSION on PROJECT PROPOSAL

Project Proposal is highly persuasive and informative document that aims to address a
particular problem or issue. It ranges from 1,000 to 2,500 words depending on the complexity of
the project being proposed.

A good project proposal specifies the following:

 Goals and objectives that the project wants to accomplish;
 Project plan that details how the set goals and objectives will be accomplished;
  Financial, human and technical resources useful in implementing the project; and
 Budget that specifies how much money is needed and for what purpose it will be spent.

TYPES OF PROJECT PROPOSAL

1. Solicited internal
-It is used when the target reader is within the organization.
-It responds to a specific request within the organization.
-The problem has been identified within the organization and the decision to solve it has
been made.
2. Unsolicited Internal
-It is used when the target reader is within the organization.
-It is a self-initiated proposal that no one asked for.
-The target reader has not yet identified that a problem exists within the organization.
3. Solicited External
-it is used when the target reader is not within the organization
- It responds to a specific request from someone who is not within the company.
- The problem has been identified and decision to solve it has been made.
4. Unsolicited External
-. It is used when the target reader is not within the organization.
-It is a self-initiated proposal that no one asked for.
- The target reader has not yet identified that a problem exists; hence, no decision has been
made to solve the problem.
PARTS OF A PROJECT PROPOSAL
1. Cover Letter
 Introduces the proposal to the reader.
 State the title, date, general purpose, and scope and acknowledgement of the people
who have contributed to the completion of the proposal.
2. Title Page
 Includes the lead organization, place, date of project, client’s or donor’s name,
proponent’s name and the department or the organization he/she represents, and date
of submission.
3. Abstract or Executive Summary
 Includes the objectives, implementing organization, major project cost.
 Usually composed of 200 to 250 words and highlights only the major points; (some
may be longer depending on the culture of the funding agency.
 Uses a paragraph format.
4. Context of the Proposal
 Describes the socio-economic, cultural, and political background in which the proposal
is situated.
 Presents data collected from other sources that are relevant to the planning stage.
5. Project Justification
 Provides the rationale for the report.
 Includes a problem statement that specifies the problem addressed by the project.
 Points out why the problem is an issue that requires immediate attention.
  Specifies the target group’s needs that arise from the adverse effect of the described
problem.
 Presents the approach of strategy that will be used to address the problem.
 Describes the capability of the implementing organization or group by stating its track
record.
Note: Justify why your organization or group is the best group to implement the project.
6. Personnel Involved
 The people involved in the project, their corresponding roles, and their summary of
qualification.
7. Project Implementation
 Describes the activities and resource allocation in detail, as well as the person in charge
of executing the activities and the time and place.
 Divided into
-Activity plan- the schedule of the activity
-Resource plan- the items needed to implement the project
8. Budget
 Presents the expected income and expenses over a specified time period and it itemizes
the budget.
9. Monitoring
Specifies:
 When and how the team will monitor the progress of the project.
 The method for monitoring and evaluation.
 The personnel in charge of monitoring and evaluation.
10. Reporting Scheme
 Specifies the schedule for reporting the finances and progress of the project.
11. Conclusion
 Briefly describe the project, the problem it addresses, and its benefits to all stakeholders
through a summary.
 Urges the readers to contact the proponent to work out the details of the project
proposal.
12. Reference
 Lists all the references used in drafting the project proposal using the format required
by the funding agency.

GUIDELINES IN PREPARING FOR A PROJECT PROPOSAL

1. Describe what a problem is and prepare for a rough idea on how this problem can be addressed.
2. Develop or select a framework that will help you organize the ideas systematically.
3. Identify your specific activities, outputs resources and methodologies.
4. Build your project proposal team and appoint a project leader who is responsible for
coordinating activities and communicating with the funding agency.
5. Identify the organization that will probably fund you project.
6. Hold an initial meeting with your team to discuss the plans in preparing project proposal.
7. Allot sufficient time for planning.
8. Involve all the team members by assigning specific responsibilities to them.
9. Be realistic with your project proposal. Be sure that your objectives and activities are within the
given time and resources.
10. Contact the funding agency if some items and requirements are not clear to you.
11. Always put yourself in the shoe of the receiver of the project proposal.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A PROJECT PROPOSAL
1. The title page must be unnumbered but it is considered page i; the back page of the title page
is unnumbered as well; but it is considered page ii. The abstract, which follows after the title
page, is considered page 1 and must already be numbered.
2. Do not use abbreviation in the title page.
3. Attach curriculum vitate of the personnel who are part of the team.
4. In the project implementation section, use a Gantt chart for presenting the time frame.
5. Write the abstract only after you have completed the report.
6. Study other successful proposals that are similar to yours.
7. Be factual but use technical terms sparingly.
8. Choose a reader-friendly format.
9. Use action words to make your proposal more dynamic.
Activity: Checking for Understanding
Write T if the statement is true and F if false.
1. A project proposal is mainly informational.
2. A Gantt chart is one way to present the schedule.
3. A one-word title is more preferred to a descriptive title.
4. A project proposal is usually one page only.
5. It is ideal to include only the total.
6. Only the team leader should write the project proposal.
7. Opinions add credibility to the proposal.
8. The project proposal needs to address a specific problem.
9. The qualification of personnel is crucial to the approval of project proposal.
10. There is only one format for a project proposal.

Activity: Proposal Review Worksheet

From a group of 5 and answer the questions given. After which, make a proposal following one
format.
1. What is the applicant organization proposing to do?
a. What are its goals?
b. Are its proposed activities likely to achieve these goals?
 c. Beyond the stated goals, what other changes are likely to occur by the projects end?
d. Does the proposal clearly describe and justify the project's ongoing activities?
e. Does it offer insights into how the project will be structured, staffed and managed?
2. Why is this project being proposed?
a. What needs does it address?
b. What evidence establishes the existence of these needs?
c. Are these needs important?
d. What kinds of benefits will be derived from the project's implementation?
e. Are any unintended positive (or negative) effects likely?
3. Where will the project take place?
a. Why was this area selected?
b. Will the project have influence or repercussions elsewhere?
4. When will the project take place?
a. What is the timeline for accomplishing the work?
b. Is the timeline realistic?
c. Are there any crucial deadlines that must be met?
d. Is the organization capable of keeping to the timeline and meeting its deadlines?
5. Who will participate in the project?
a. Who will the program serve?
b. Are they the right target group given the project's goals?
c. Who will provide the services?
d. What are their capabilities?
e. Who will oversee the project?
f. What are their qualifications?
g. Is anybody else attempting similar projects?
h. Is a consultation, collaboration or alliance with other organizations being considered?
If not, why?
6. How are the chances of success being maximized?
a. Is the project's approach practical?
b. Does it demonstrate an understanding of best practices in the field?
c. Have other organizations gotten results by using equivalent means?
d. Are you aware of similar programs that have run into serious problems in the past?
e. Are there any crucial difficulties the proposal has not anticipated?
f. How will success be measured?
7. How much will the project cost?
a. Is the budget adequate to carry out the program?
b. Has the budget been padded to absorb unrelated expenses?
c. Is the organization using any of its unrestricted resources to support the project?
d. Have other funders committed their support?
e. How will the project continue after your funding is over?
Developed by Stephanie McAuliffe: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
for the July Institute for New Grantmakers, 2002
[Link]

OTHER SUGGESTED ACTIVITY

Look for a sample of a Project Proposal and identify the features of an effective project proposal.