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:
http://www.io.com/~hcexres/tcm1603/acchtml/props.html
http://www.io.com/~hcexres/textbook/
http://www.electronic-cottage.com/proposal.htm
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).
1. Propose a community service project for schools such as an anti-drug, anticrime, 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.)
2. 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.
3. Proposal to another company for services – landscape the outside of your
building, include a new fitness center, or in-house daycare.
4. Proposal for your company to sponsor a charity event such as a blood drive or
road race (Race for the Cure).
5. 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.
6. 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:
1. 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).
2. Created this semester specifically for this class (no revisions of former work).
3. Written for a specific, identifiable audience that is discussed in the Audience
and Use Profile.
4. Achieved with the following required document supplements: letter of
transmittal, table of contents, and bibliography.
5. Achieved with at least one of the following document supplements of your
choice: list of tables, figures, and/or visuals
6. Achieved with a minimum of four visuals.
7. 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).
8. 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.