Proposals: three major typesProposals: three major types

Research ProposalResearch Proposal proposes to define problemproposes to define problem

Evaluation ProposalEvaluation Proposal proposes to proposes to evaluateevaluate solutions solutions

Implementation ProposalImplementation Proposal proposes toproposes to implement implement solutions solutions

Your proposal details specific methods Your proposal details specific methods for conducting research and evaluation.for conducting research and evaluation.

Observe Solicit expert opinion Collect and synthesize

information from published and unpublished sources

Conduct tests Make calculations Create preliminary designs

Proposal assignment requires Proposal assignment requires these sections:these sections: SummarySummary Problem DefinitionProblem Definition Scope of ProjectScope of Project Solution CriteriaSolution Criteria Proposed ProcedureProposed Procedure ScheduleSchedule BudgetBudget QualificationsQualifications Sources of InformationSources of Information

On Web: Two versions of same On Web: Two versions of same sample proposalsample proposal

ProposalProposal in original in original form, without my form, without my annotationsannotations

Annotated proposalAnnotated proposal, , with callouts with callouts identifying required identifying required elements and elements and strengthsstrengths

Summary is a miniature version of Summary is a miniature version of the whole proposal.the whole proposal. Give brief overview of this information:Give brief overview of this information:

Problem or needProblem or need Scope and purposeScope and purpose

• of proposalof proposal

• of investigative study (what you intend to do)of investigative study (what you intend to do) Alternative solutionsAlternative solutions Evaluation criteria (for solutions)Evaluation criteria (for solutions) TimeframeTimeframe Budget for studyBudget for study DeliverablesDeliverables

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition

Describe problem or needDescribe problem or need give more background than in Summarygive more background than in Summary support with support with specific evidencespecific evidence state from client’s point of viewstate from client’s point of view

Describe need for study and benefit for Describe need for study and benefit for client.client.

Scope of ProjectScope of Project State topics to be investigated and how.State topics to be investigated and how.

alternative solutionsalternative solutions criteria for evaluating solutionscriteria for evaluating solutions methods of studymethods of study

• sources of informationsources of information• what kind of research?what kind of research?

Project time needed to complete project.Project time needed to complete project. List deliverables.List deliverables.

recommendation reportrecommendation report oral presentationoral presentation

Evaluation CriteriaEvaluation Criteria Expand on listing of criteria in Expand on listing of criteria in ScopeScope section. section. Define criteria very specificallyDefine criteria very specifically

Refine and breakdown all “large” criteria, such as Refine and breakdown all “large” criteria, such as cost, cost, feasibilityfeasibility, etc., etc.

State how you will determine or measure for each State how you will determine or measure for each criterion (so that you may compare solutions)criterion (so that you may compare solutions)

Cost of maintenance measured in present-value dollars?Cost of maintenance measured in present-value dollars? Safety measured according to industry safety reports?Safety measured according to industry safety reports? Is there a minimum or maximum value?Is there a minimum or maximum value? Will you use others’ results or your own?Will you use others’ results or your own?

Criteria: Clarify these itemsCriteria: Clarify these items

Are criteria prioritized?Are criteria prioritized? Which, if any, were set by the client?Which, if any, were set by the client? If you will not consider If you will not consider costcost, say why not., say why not.

Solution CriteriaSolution CriteriaThe alternative solutions will be evaluated The alternative solutions will be evaluated

according to the criteria outlined below. These criteria according to the criteria outlined below. These criteria

are listed in order of priority, from highest to lowest, as are listed in order of priority, from highest to lowest, as

designated by the client.designated by the client.

            Effectiveness in Reducing Noise TransmissionEffectiveness in Reducing Noise Transmission

The client has asked that we determine an appropriate The client has asked that we determine an appropriate

threshold for noise transmission based on the threshold for noise transmission based on the

preferences of residents. We will measure each solution preferences of residents. We will measure each solution

in terms of noise reduction (NR), a quantifiable term in terms of noise reduction (NR), a quantifiable term

expressed as a function of the transmission loss (TL) of expressed as a function of the transmission loss (TL) of

a barrier (defined as the ratio of sound reradiated by the a barrier (defined as the ratio of sound reradiated by the

barrier to the sound absorbed by it, in decibels), the barrier to the sound absorbed by it, in decibels), the

area of the barrier, and the ability of the receiving room area of the barrier, and the ability of the receiving room

to absorb sound.to absorb sound.

Proposed ProcedureProposed Procedure Break down your scope of work into tasks.Break down your scope of work into tasks.

Expand on information in Expand on information in ScopeScope section. section. Include your methods of research and Include your methods of research and

methods of evaluation (these methods methods of evaluation (these methods translate into tasks).translate into tasks). Show how you will use criteria as evaluators.Show how you will use criteria as evaluators.

Show sequence of tasks.Show sequence of tasks. Include specific sources of information.Include specific sources of information. This is the narrative of your schedule.This is the narrative of your schedule.

ScheduleSchedule section is in graphical form. section is in graphical form.

ScheduleSchedule Graphically present your specific tasks Graphically present your specific tasks

along a timeline.along a timeline. Label the figure/tableLabel the figure/table Introduce the graphic with at least one Introduce the graphic with at least one

sentence.sentence.

Include specific dates.Include specific dates. Break down tasks as much as possible.Break down tasks as much as possible.

Valuable planning for you (and partner)Valuable planning for you (and partner)

This is the schedule for accomplishing the study (research, evaluation, presentation of findings). NOT the schedule for solving the problem.

BudgetBudget Present the costs for completing the study.Present the costs for completing the study. Include items such as research, estimating, Include items such as research, estimating,

testing, traveling, photocopying, phoning. testing, traveling, photocopying, phoning. any task that takes up your time or costs you any task that takes up your time or costs you

something out of pocket.something out of pocket.

Remember, you are a consultant – make Remember, you are a consultant – make clear your rate per hour for various tasks.clear your rate per hour for various tasks.

Present budget graphically, but introduce Present budget graphically, but introduce with at least one sentence. with at least one sentence.

Label the figure (see sample proposal).Label the figure (see sample proposal).

QualificationsQualifications Present your (and your partner’s) qualifications Present your (and your partner’s) qualifications

for doing the study.for doing the study. Evidence of qualifications includes these items:Evidence of qualifications includes these items:

relevant courses takenrelevant courses taken relevant employmentrelevant employment degree program in progressdegree program in progress any relevant experience or exposureany relevant experience or exposure

Don’t worry about not having lots of Don’t worry about not having lots of experience.experience.

Sources of InformationSources of Information This section is more for me than for a “real-This section is more for me than for a “real-

world” engineering boss.world” engineering boss. Include all relevant articles, books, people, Include all relevant articles, books, people,

reports, class notes, etc. from which you will get reports, class notes, etc. from which you will get information relevant to your study.information relevant to your study.

Give this information for each source (use any Give this information for each source (use any format):format): Name of author/sponsorName of author/sponsor titles of journals (with article title, if known)titles of journals (with article title, if known) titles of bookstitles of books

Be sure also to weave discussion of sources of Be sure also to weave discussion of sources of information into Proposed Procedure.information into Proposed Procedure.

Strategies of PersuasionStrategies of Persuasion Clarify your goal – write it down.Clarify your goal – write it down.

how will you achieve it?how will you achieve it? What are your goals for proposal?What are your goals for proposal?

Analyze your audience’s values, expectations, Analyze your audience’s values, expectations, experience, and status.experience, and status. use the use the Audience Analysis WorksheetAudience Analysis Worksheet the more persuasive your document is, the more the more persuasive your document is, the more

it focuses on readers.it focuses on readers.

Persuasive WritingPersuasive Writing

Proposal readers – what will convince them Proposal readers – what will convince them of your ability to do the tasks required?of your ability to do the tasks required? Do you understand the problem or need from Do you understand the problem or need from

theirtheir point of view? point of view? Is your methodology clearly thought through?Is your methodology clearly thought through? Avoid words like “maybe,” “feel,” probably.”Avoid words like “maybe,” “feel,” probably.” Does quality of writing affect reader’s view of Does quality of writing affect reader’s view of

your professional ability?your professional ability? Remember that you have two types of readers Remember that you have two types of readers

for this assignment: Supervisor and Clientfor this assignment: Supervisor and Client

Use Use Audience Analysis WorksheetAudience Analysis Worksheet

Purpose of DocumentPurpose of Document Readers: Primary and SecondaryReaders: Primary and Secondary

Reasons for readingReasons for reading CharacteristicsCharacteristics

What will reader DO as a result of What will reader DO as a result of reading?reading? PrimaryPrimary SecondarySecondary

This week’s lab . . . This week’s lab . . .

Learn to create and use Style Sheets in Learn to create and use Style Sheets in MS Word!MS Word!

Make your formatting tasks much easier.Make your formatting tasks much easier. Collaborate more easily.Collaborate more easily. Reduce overall time producing documents!Reduce overall time producing documents!

Claims, Supports, and WarrantsClaims, Supports, and Warrants((Reference GuideReference Guide, pp 33-39), pp 33-39)

How do you develop an “argument” in a document?How do you develop an “argument” in a document? What is the “claim” your proposal makes?What is the “claim” your proposal makes? What “support” can you offer for your claim?What “support” can you offer for your claim? What “warrants” (assumptions or beliefs) underlie your What “warrants” (assumptions or beliefs) underlie your

argument and which ones probably exist in the mind of argument and which ones probably exist in the mind of your readers?your readers? Many assumptions in engineering work spring from Many assumptions in engineering work spring from

methodology – e.g.:methodology – e.g.:• margin of error in tests or modelsmargin of error in tests or models• reliability of studies used to establish safe levels of a pollutantreliability of studies used to establish safe levels of a pollutant