Understanding Proposal Development
What is a Project Proposal?
A project proposal is a detailed plan that outlines the objectives, methodology, budget, and expected outcomes of
a project. It serves as a formal request for funding or approval from stakeholders or donors. The proposal should
convincingly communicate the value and feasibility of the project, addressing the specific needs it aims to solve
and demonstrating how it aligns with the priorities of the funding organisation.
Proposal development is an essential part of the ‘identification’ stage in the Project Management Cycle. It creates a
detailed plan for the project, including its goals, strategies, methods, budget, and monitoring and evaluation plan.
A well-crafted project proposal includes: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):
- Plans for assessing the project’s progress and impact.
- Project Title and Summary: A concise overview of the project.
- Problem Statement: A clear explanation of the issue the project aims to address.
- Objectives: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
- Methodology: Detailed steps and strategies for achieving the objectives.
- Budget: An itemised list of costs associated with the project.
- Timeline: A schedule outlining the key phases and milestones.