Tips for Proposal Development Timelines Tips for all proposals regardless of funding source Consider lessons learned from similar past processes, at the country program, regional and even agency level. Consult with regional business development and program quality staff and headquarters (HQ) IDEA staff to identify relevant lessons learned, such as: Which project design steps have often taken longer than planned? Which project design activities do we tend to overlook? What have been the most efficient ways to coordinate project design and proposal inputs from programming, finance, and other operations staff? What are effective ways to engage partners without overburdening them, particularly partners in different locations from the CRS proposal development team? Plan for a design process that: Follows CRS quality standards outlined in ProPack I Includes meaningful potential beneficiary involvement in the design through assessments Draws on programming experiences and lessons learned from other CRS programs consider Past – Performance Records in Gateway as a resource Schedule design, review and finalization of the Results Framework and theory of change as early as possible in the timeline, since many other proposal sections depend on them. Be sure to plan, and schedule sufficient time for, steps related to partner engagement including: Partner selection (including competitive partner selection if required by the donor) Finalizing partnering arrangements and teaming agreements, including meetings with partner leadership Consortium planning (if applicable see ) – Engagement of partners in the design process (assessment, design workshops, activity schedule and budget development) Partner review of the draft proposal Consider time needed for government engagement to validate design (and obtain letters of support if needed for external funding opportunities). Divide responsibilities appropriately among members of the proposal development team to maximize efficiency and ensure that no one person shoulders an undue burden. Refer to the proposal development team roles established when completing CRS Project Management Standard 1, key action 1. Plan for multiple CRS reviews of the proposal at different stages: Country, regional, and HQ/other technical review of preliminary design and/or concept note. Country, regional, and HQ/other technical review of full proposal. Final submission package review and HQ compliance check, if needed.
Tips for Proposal Development Timelines Tips for all proposals regardless of funding source Consider lessons learned from similar past processes, at the country program, regional and even agency level. Consult with regional business development and program quality staff and headquarters (HQ) IDEA staff to identify relevant lessons learned, such as: Which project design steps have often taken longer than planned? Which project design activities do we tend to overlook? What have been the most efficient ways to coordinate project design and proposal inputs from programming, finance, and other operations staff? What are effective ways to engage partners without overburdening them, particularly partners in different locations from the CRS proposal development team? Plan for a design process that: Follows CRS quality standards outlined in ProPack I Includes meaningful potential beneficiary involvement in the design through assessments Draws on programming experiences and lessons learned from other CRS programs – consider Past Performance Records in Gateway as a resource Schedule design, review and finalization of the Results Framework and theory of change as early as possible in the timeline, since many other proposal sections depend on them. Be sure to plan, and schedule sufficient time for, steps related to partner engagement including: Partner selection (including competitive partner selection if required by the donor) Finalizing partnering arrangements and teaming agreements, including meetings with partner leadership Consortium planning (if applicable – see ) Engagement of partners in the design process (assessment, design workshops, activity schedule and budget development) Partner review of the draft proposal Consider time needed for government engagement to validate design (and obtain letters of support if needed for external funding opportunities). Divide responsibilities appropriately among members of the proposal development team to maximize efficiency and ensure that no one person shoulders an undue burden. Refer to the proposal development team roles established when completing CRS Project Management Standard 1, key action 1. Plan for multiple CRS reviews of the proposal at different stages: Country, regional, and HQ/other technical review of preliminary design and/or concept note. Country, regional, and HQ/other technical review of full proposal. Final submission package review and HQ compliance check, if needed.
s1_ka4_b_tips_for_scheduling_proposal_timelines_copy_edited_11_dec.docx