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FORMAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE ✦ Below is a template for our Step 2 formal proposal, which you will create AFTER your Step 1

informal proposal has been approved. It is typically no more than two single-spaced pages. ✦ At this stage, the proposal is more than an outline, but provides only a focused “sketch” of

the proposed project. It provides as much detail as available regarding the purpose, scope, and potential benefits, and provides an overview of the research and analysis required if the project is approved to move forward.

✦ Once approved, the full project moves into development, where it evolves into a final project for presentation to decision-makers. In your case, this means you will develop your “sketch” into a full presentation of research, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations over the next twelve weeks of the semester. The final document you create will be your Priority 1 Project, representing 25% of your final portfolio course grade.

DIRECTIONS: All text shown here in [brackets] provides the framework of a formal proposal. Headings and subheadings in red indicate how to name the sections of your proposal, and the order in which they should appear. EXAMPLE text indicates the type of content to include for each section.

[DESCRIPTIVE TITLE]

EXAMPLE: “Maximizing the Benefits of the Rocket Bank College Internship Program”

[INTRODUCTION]

[1. PURPOSE]

[Provide a brief description of the issue you plan to address, and what role that issue plays within the larger organization. This section should be framed positively, even when discussing a problem.]

EXAMPLE: “Rocket Bank has experienced a drop off in the number of college students applying for internships. This proposal will investigate possible causes, and make recommendations that could lead to a more effective internship program going forward.”

[2. SCOPE]

[The Scope section provides the boundaries of what will and what will not be addressed by the project. The statement of scope keeps the project focused and on track during the development process.]

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EXAMPLE: “Rocket Bank has a number of educational and career opportunity programs, including high school shadow days, college tours, college student internships, and the mentor program. This proposal will examine only the college student internship program.”

[DISCUSSION]

[3. BACKGROUND AND CURRENT SITUATION]

[A brief description of the project background, including all specific information or data that is already available to provide an informed perspective.]

EXAMPLE: “Rocket Bank began its college internship program in 2009 by hiring two college students for summer internships. Over the past seven years, funding was increased and a greater number of interns were hired for positions throughout the year. In the past three quarters, fewer internship applications have been received than there are positions open.

The purpose of this proposal is to determine what factors may have changed, and whether adjustments to the internship positions, the hiring of interns, the publicizing of internship positions, or other changes might be made to in order to return the internship program to full employment.

It must also be noted that the unknown factors causing the current situation may point to a change in the need or demand for internship positions by college students, or even a change in the level of need for interns. Further research is needed to determine the most effective future of the internship program.”

[4. METHODOLOGY]

[This section describes the methods you will use to gather additional data, the sources you will use, specific areas you will be researching and investigating, and the stated purposes for each of the different types of research. ✦ Describe the types of specific data will you need to provide a strong foundation of evidence

to support your recommendations

✦ List the multiple sources where you expect to gather data for secondary research that will provide you with the background knowledge you need to understand the area you are working in (data can be found in business publications, industry analyses, academic journals and white papers, etc.).

✦ Provide a description of the primary research you will conduct to collect data specific to this project (conducting interviews with experts, creating custom surveys, etc.).]

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EXAMPLE: “Expected research requirements for this project include:

✦ A background review of the structure of the existing internship program, including both program documents and interviews with staff to get a stronger sense of the original purpose and intent of the program. Why did we begin it? What did we hope to benefit? Did we attain those benefits?

✦ A review of industry “best practices” for internship programs - what do the experts recommend? Potential sources include industry experts, such as the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) website articles, plus published articles in professional and academic journals of human resources, and articles in leading business publications like Forbes, Wall Street Journal.

✦ Primary research: Interviews with Rocket Bank staff in various departments who work with interns to get a sense of their views on the value of the program; Interviews with past and present interns to get a sense of their satisfaction and usefulness of their internship; and a survey of college students asking them to rate the desirability of various aspects of our current program and solicit opinions on other features they may look for in an internship that our program does not provide.]

[5. POTENTIAL BENEFITS]

[Specify who will benefit from the proposed project, and how. Use the SMART paradigm to assure that your benefits are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Oriented, and Time- Bound.]

EXAMPLE: “Rocket Bank will benefit by adjusting its college internship program based on the findings of this proposal. After making these adjustments, I anticipate the bank will be able to fill its two current open intern positions within two months. Implementing this proposal is also designed to attract at least twice the number of applicants than there are positions available each semester.”

[KEY PROJECT TARGETS] [6. COSTS]

[Specify all costs that can currently be projected for the project.]

EXAMPLE: “The costs of researching this proposal are expected to be limited to the value of employee time spent, estimated at 40 hours, plus minor expenses such as gas mileage reimbursement for traveling to interviews. Estimated costs for implementing any changes to the internship program will be calculated for each recommendation and provided in the final proposal.

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[7. TIMELINE]

[Provide a schedule of specific milestone dates you will meet to complete the full proposal, using the grid provided. Start dates and end dates can overlap; e.g., you can continue gathering secondary research after you begin conducting primary research.]

EXAMPLE: The following table provides the milestone date targets for each phase of preparing the final proposal for presentation. ACTION START DATE PROJECTED END DATE

Project Planning 9/20/17

Gathering Secondary Research

Conducting Primary Research

Analyzing Research Data

Drafting Proposal

Obtaining reviews/revisions

Finalizing the document

Delivery of completed document 12/4/17

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