CMNS 3240 Advanced Professional Writing (Smyrl, W24)
Assignment 1 – Project Proposal (1200-1500 words)
Due: January 26th.
Weight: 20%
Description:
In this assignment, you will prepare a Project Proposal. This proposal will propose your chosen perspective and scope for
the upcoming Policy Brief and Communication Package assignments.
To prepare your Project Proposal, follow the instructions and templates provided in the Request for Proposal scenario
below. I’ve tried to replicate the conditions under which a professional project proposal would normally be done in the
‘real’ world!
Scenario:
You work for a Policy Development Group call 3240 Ltd. (yikes, you can give it a different name!.) Your consultancy does
research to inform and support policy and regulation development across industry and government bodies. The
particular perspective, ideological interests and focus of your consultancy is up to you; you might be focused on the
interests of small business, of labour, of accessibility clients, or any other interest groups (see the Scenario Overview
document for more ideas).
Your have received a Request for Proposals (RFP) from the provincial government on the topic of flexible work: issues,
opportunities and risks. Read through the RFP and then prepare your Proposal for submission. You will be guided in the
weekly tasks.
Request for Proposals: Policy Research on Flexible Work
1. Introduction
The BC Provincial Government invites experienced policy research groups to submit proposals for conducting
research and producing policy briefs on the topic of flexible work and the potential issues, opportunities and
risks it represents across a range of sectors and interest groups. The aim is to develop informed policy positions
across government portfolios that address the impact of flexible work arrangements on, but not limited to,
labour, economic growth, and health and family across our region.
2. Background
The provincial government, like all governments, is facing pressure to develop policy stances on a variety of
issues related to the changing nature of work, including increasing opportunities to define and implement
flexible work models. These policy stances might be needed across many different government portfolios,
including economic development and innovation, labour, environment, health and social initiatives, and family
development.
Many economic, social and cultural factors combine today to raise diverse questions about the nature and
feasibility of flexible work. Factors like increased automation, changing technology, remote/hybrid work
opportunities, accessibility and equity issues, environmental challenges, and the instability of the gig economy
are just some of the issues that pressure us, as a society, to rethink questions of flexibility and work.
Focus/Scope
The impact of a changing world of flexible work is different for different groups, across fields and industries.
Labour market impact might include questions of employment rates, job satisfaction and productivity; economic
impacts might include questions of growth, innovation and competitiveness; and health and social impacts
might include questions of balance, mental and physical health, and social values.
Perspective/Interest
But not everyone is affected by these issues in the same way. Many stakeholder groups will have diverse views
about the issues, risks and opportunities related to flexible work; these stakeholder groups include labour, small
business, large organizations, non-profits, public interest groups, as well as segments of the population, such as
shift workers, working parents and accessibility advocates.
3. Scope of Work
The selected policy research group will be responsible for defining a specific focus and perspective on this topic,
conducting in-depth research, and producing a policy brief. The policy brief should thus be transparent in the
perspective and interests it represents and provide a clear set of evidence-based recommendations that can be
used to inform policy stances on the implementation of flexible work practices. Finally, the research group will
be responsible for producing a communication package to disseminate the findings of the policy brief to
different audiences; this package will include a variety of multimedia materials that can be used to share the
recommendations.
Project scope
Projects can look at various aspects of flexible work conversation, from any economic, social or cultural
perspective, including, but not limited to:
• Labour market impact
o The effects of flexible work arrangements on employment, job satisfaction and productivity.
o The challenges and opportunities associated with incorporating flexible work arrangements
into different industries and settings.
• Economic Impact
o How flexible work does or does not contribute to economic growth, innovation and
competitiveness.
o Potential economic benefits and risks of expanded adoption of flexible work practices in any
sector.
• Health and well-being
o The impact of flexible work on the physical and mental health of employees.
o Best practices for promoting work-life balance.
o Potential cultural and social impacts of flexible work on segments of the population, such as
parents, those with accessibility considerations, and different cultural worldviews.
Research scope
All research materials used in the development of proposals and policy briefs must be from within the previous
24 months (2-years) to ensure timely and relevant work to inform future policy development.
4. Proposal Guidelines
Interested policy research groups should submit proposals according to the following template.
1. Introduction
a. Brief overview of the Research Group’s background and expertise
o
What perspectives and interests define group’s work? This will help the reviewers to determine
the area of contribution expected from this research group – economic, social, etc.
b. Brief description of the group’s understanding of the project objectives, drawing on the potential areas
of project scope outlined above.
o What is the purpose of the proposal and who is it for?
o What are the main deliverables for the project being proposed?
o What general scope and perspective will be taken? Who will benefit if this research is used to
support policy development? What areas of government will find this proposed research useful
to inform policy development?
2. Methodology
a. Current Situation
i. Focused on your chosen scope and perspective, summarize generally some existing
pressures or issues related to the topic of flexible work.
ii. Why will this research and policy brief be significant and to whom? What will be gained by
doing this work? Be persuasive! What is the value in being chosen to do this work?
b. Project Plan and Scope
i.
What key questions will be explored in this research project/policy brief?
ii.
How will this research and analysis help to address the problems outlined above?
iii.
What will be the benefits and long-term value of this project?
3. Timelines
a. Proposed timeline for submission of each project deliverable.
5. Proposal Specifications
• Proposals should have a short cover letter, addressed to Shannon Smyrl, Bids Management,
BC Government.
• Proposals should be structured using the template above.
• Proposals must be produced as MSWORD Docs and use font no smaller than 11 point.
• Proposals should be between 1200-155 words maximum.
• Any visuals, diagrams and tables must be clearly labelled.
• All reference material must be cited accurately using APA format.
6. Evaluation Criteria
Project Proposal
Marking Criteria (20%)
Based on 10 Point Scale:
0
Unsatisfactory.
5
Minimal Pass with little confidence in success in future related work
5.5
Pass, but with deficiencies.
6-6.5 Satisfactory but significant work required to reach outcomes.
7-7.5 Good work with solid knowledge of the intended outcomes.
8-10
Excellent professional work demonstrating superior understanding of the outcomes
Criteria
Informing Theory
• Demonstrates excellent understanding of principles of persuasive writing,
and effective document design for professional context.
Strategic Design
Points
•
Evidence of analysis of issues in ways relevant to the needs and context of
the chosen perspective.
• Evidence of emphasis on the strategic benefit of the research to the
chosen perspective
Engagement with Scenario
• Clearly identifies a defined perspective and links treatment of the topic in
a realistic and productive way.
• Scope and direction for the project are logical given the perspective and
goals set.
Development and Organization
• Responsiveness to the organizing principles and features of the proposal
genre.
• Follows the specifications and Template requirements.
• Attention to logic, progression, transitions, and flow of ideas
Overall Professionalism and Presentation
• Polished and professional quality writing and document design.
• No grammatical errors or errors in syntax.
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