In general, proposals cover basic categories, which I have listed below. Depending on your proposal, you may not need all of them and you may need to add a new category to cover a topic not included.

Introduction

Executive Summary (sums up all key components of the proposal)

Background (the situation leading up to the problem you are trying solve)

Rationale (why you are doing this– the reasoning behind it)

Audience (who will view your presentation)

Tone (the style, tone or “feel” of the presentaton)

Design (description of how it will look and work)

Structural Overview (the architecture behind the project)

Special Components (anything unique or special that needs mentioning)

Bidders Responsibilities (what you, as the bidder will do if the project is accepted)

Beta Testing (how you will beta test)

Evaluation (how it will be evaluated)

Publicity, PR (who will promote it and how)

In House Resources (what you expect the funder/client to supply)

Delivery (how the product will be delivered to the client or the end user)

Designated Contact Person (who in your company is the contact person, ask the client to designate a contact person also)

Critical Path (the schedule and path)

Production Schedule (estimated dates of completion for key aspects of the project)

Completion (final completion date)

Cash Flow and Payment Schedule (your budget summary, how you are proposing the client pay you and when)

THE BIDDERS (description of yourself, your business)

Contacts (key persons working on project)

Suppliers (suppliers to establish you are working with credible sources

APPENDICES — background information establishing your expertise in this area

I have written many proposals for multiimedia projects and this is the outline I start with.