Boilerplate/re-use checklist
Before using recycled proposal content or using boilerplate there are many things you need to check
Don't use it without making sure it's fully optimized to win:
- If you think checking all of these will be time-consuming, you are right. Ask yourself which you can do without.
- This is why using boilerplate can take longer than writing what you need from scratch.
When using boilerplate or re-using past documents, make sure that you:
❏ Update the customer, project, and other names
❏ Ensure that any dates or numbers mentioned are accurate
❏ Check that it is fully RFP compliant and in the right sequence
❏ Add or delete relevant topics
❏ Edit it to use the same terminology as the current customer/RFP
❏ Validate that it reflects the approaches being proposed
❏ Validate that any trade-offs made previously(e.g. cost/performance) are still appropriate
❏ Emphasize the benefits that matter to this particular customer
❏ Research the previous bid strategies and evaluation criteria so you can undo anything no longer applicable to the current circumstances
❏ Substantiate the right win strategies and themes for this particular bid
❏ Optimize it against this particular evaluation criteria
❏ Ensure that any examples cited are relevant and up to date
❏ Has anything changed since the previous proposal for your company, projects, staff, technology, processes, etc. that should be incorporated?
❏ Ensure that it reflects your full awareness of the customer
❏ Check whether it includes any assumptions and if they are still relevant
Return to Proposal Content Plan Implementation Tips or the Proposal Content Planning Topic Hub.
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Carl Dickson
Carl is the Founder and President of CapturePlanning.com and PropLIBRARY
Carl is an expert at winning in writing, with more than 30 year's experience. He's written multiple books and published over a thousand articles that have helped millions of people develop business and write better proposals. Carl is also a frequent speaker, trainer, and consultant and can be reached at carl.dickson@captureplanning.com. To find out more about him, you can also connect with Carl on LinkedIn.
