Creating Effective Proposals

Utilizing Proposal Graphics

C O N S U L T I N G

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

What are Proposal Graphics?

They’re worth 1,000 words when used properly and effectively

Great for page constraints

They show spatial relationships

They break up monotonous text

They convey information quickly

Some evaluators focus primarily on graphics

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

What Graphics Represent

Architectures (1-3) Technical diagrams, network topologies, etc.

Processes and Methodologies (4-9) Management procedures, testing processes, KPMG

methodologies, etc.

Relationships (10-11) Organizational charts, reporting structures

Statistics and Related Information (12-19) Revenue figures

Staff breakdown by skill area/degree

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

Graphical Elements

Background Action Captions

Title Figure Numbers

Text Maps/Legends

Boxes Charts

Arrows Bullets

Shading Balloons

Clip-Art “Key Features”

Photos Illustrations

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

Graphics Development Process

Message/Purpose

Architecture/Processes/Relationships

Flow/Starting Point

Placement/Size (Mockup)

Draft Graphical Elements

Action Caption

Review - Is the original message clear?

Refine (often go through several iterations)

Review again

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

Action Captions

Effective for conveying a message and reinforcing a theme

Should be informative and positive

Should tell the reader what to conclude from the graphic, and not serve solely as a title

Bad Example: “Project Schedule.”

Good Example: “KPMG’s project schedule accelerates delivery by 3 months due to the use of COTS software.”

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

Symptoms of Bad Graphics

Too much text (1,4)

Too much white space (14, 17, 19)

No clear message (1, 3, 4)

No clear entry point (1, 3, 4, 9)

Excessive use of “red” - sounds an alarm

Poor balance/symmetry (19)

Poor shading/contrast (2, 9, 17)

No consistency (4, 10)

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

Tips and Pointers

Clear Message (12)

5 - 7 Second Test (15)

Flow and Entry Point (5)

Left-to-right, top-to-bottom, or center out

Organization (2)

Balance/Symmetry (6, 10)

Appropriate Size (2, 8, 16)

Use Shading to Provide Contrast (1, 8)

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

More Tips and Pointers

Consistency Fonts, shading, shapes, pictures/images, verb tense,

capitalization, arrows, titles, clip-art/diagrams, photos

Graphics should be conservative and professional, not flashy

Graphics can and should reinforce the text

Check references for accuracy

Page should look the same upside down (12)

Check spelling/grammar (4)

C O N S U L T I N G

Proposal Graphics

Any Questions?

Carl Rosenblatt

BDST Manager, Public Services

Tyson’s Tower

703 747-6508