Semi-Formal Proposals That Present Ideas

• More detail regarding the circumstances


• Criteria or guidelines for any changes proposed in the report


• An in-depth analysis of suggested alternatives


• A slightly more formal appearance; while informal proposals can be memorandums or letters, semi-formal proposals are formatted as titled documents.

• Summary tells the highlights of the proposal. The content of the summary is taken from the Background, Solutions, and Outcome compartments. It should tell why you're writing the proposal, what you're proposing, what it will cost, and how quickly the company can recover the cost.


• The Background compartment introduces the problem or condition. It also tells about the circumstances that led to it. You want to make sure your audience understands your rationale behind your proposal. This is where you will detail it. The heading "Introduction" is typically used for this compartment.


• The Objective sub-compartment is where you define what needs to be done to fix the problem. It also gives guidelines or criteria for the best solution. You can include this under the "Introduction" heading, or you can use a heading for it such as "Requirements" or "Criteria." Make your objectives clear cut.


• The Solutions sub-compartments tell the ways the problem can be fixed, or that a situation can be improved. For each alternative, you need to include a description of the solution; the result of the solution; a description of how it will be implemented; the advantages and disadvantages; and the cost. Organize your solutions with the most suitable solutions first. You can use one heading for both sub-compartments, such as "Methods for Decreasing Spending." You can also use descriptive headings. When writing the solutions sub-compartments, you can use a mini-pyramid, meaning that each solution should have a summary statement, then supporting details. You can insert illustrations, if needed.


• The Evaluation sub-compartment is where you analyze and compare the alternative solutions you presented. You can tell about the effects of adopting the proposed solution, adopting each alternative solution, or adopting none of the solutions.


• The Action compartment tells what action should be taken. Use strong wording and positive terms. Suggested headings are "Recommendation" or "Recommendations."


• The Evidence Compartment contains test results, drawings, etc. Use the heading "Attachments" or "Appendices".

Section Review 2

1. To increase communication between staff, and reduce the time spent walking between departments or composing e-mails, we propose that ABC Company invest $159,000 to develop and install an inter-company instant messaging system on each employee computer. The cost will be recovered in 23 months.


1. ___ Summary


2. ___ Background


3. ___ Proposed Solution


4. ___ Action


2. Each employee computer has enough memory on it to store and run a company-wide instant messaging system. The instant messaging system will contain a main window that stays open. This window will display the first and last name of each the employee's company contacts. Employees can add a contact by entering their company e-mail address…


1. ___ Summary


2. ___ Background


3. ___ Proposed Solution


4. ___ Action


3. We recommend carrying out a study into the costs of developing and installing an inter-company instant messaging system at ABC company.


1. ___ Summary


2. ___ Background


3. ___ Proposed Solution


4. ___ Action