The Technical Approach The Technical Approach Section of a ProposalSection of a Proposal

TCO 341TCO 341

Dr. Helen GradyDr. Helen Grady

March 31, 2004March 31, 2004

Overview of Technical ApproachOverview of Technical Approach

Problem statement Problem statement Project descriptionProject description

• Goals/objectivesGoals/objectives• Project activities / stepsProject activities / steps• Evaluation planEvaluation plan

This is a problem…

Problem Statement Problem Statement (research-oriented proposals)(research-oriented proposals)

What What WhenWhen WhyWhy WhoWho Why Why

HintHint: expand on your A-B-C heuristic: expand on your A-B-C heuristic

Problem/Needs StatementsProblem/Needs Statements

Must be substantiatedMust be substantiated Must be convincingMust be convincing Must avoid circular reasoning (e.g., Must avoid circular reasoning (e.g.,

the problem is the lack of service the problem is the lack of service that you are proposing)that you are proposing)

Project Description - TAProject Description - TA

Goals and objectives – identify what Goals and objectives – identify what will happen if project is implementedwill happen if project is implemented

Project activities – detailed plan of Project activities – detailed plan of what you will dowhat you will do

Evaluation plan – criteria and Evaluation plan – criteria and methods to determine methods to determine results/successes of projectresults/successes of project

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Specific, achievable, measurable Specific, achievable, measurable statements about what is going to be statements about what is going to be accomplishedaccomplished

Examples:Examples:• To determine optimum seating capacity To determine optimum seating capacity

for an all-purpose events arenafor an all-purpose events arena• To recruit, train, and place 100 teenage To recruit, train, and place 100 teenage

volunteers in local service agenciesvolunteers in local service agencies

Project ActivitiesProject Activities

Tasks associated with project startupTasks associated with project startup Tasks associated with project Tasks associated with project

implementationimplementation

Be specific about what will be done, Be specific about what will be done, when, where, and by whomwhen, where, and by whom

Be convincing about the feasibility of Be convincing about the feasibility of your approachyour approach

Evaluation PlanEvaluation Plan

What methods will you use to What methods will you use to determine if project is successful?determine if project is successful?

What types and sources of evidence What types and sources of evidence are needed?are needed?

Summary – Must Convince Summary – Must Convince Evaluators thatEvaluators that

Problem/need is realProblem/need is real Approach is feasibleApproach is feasible Project is worth fundingProject is worth funding Yours is the ‘best’ solution Yours is the ‘best’ solution