What is a software development proposal?
A software development proposal is a business document sent by a software development company to sell its business services to a prospective client.
It gives the prospective clients an overview of the service provider’s offering, how it will solve the challenges, and the methodology or approach to the proposed solution.
How to write a software development proposal?
Drafting a sales proposal is a crucial part of the sales process to secure a business contract from the prospective client. Follow the below steps and structure to create a great proposal -
Cover page
This is the first page of your proposal that includes the prospective client's name, the service provider's company name and logo, and the proposal's name.
Introduction
Here, briefly describe your company, your business strengths, and what makes you unique.
Executive summary
This section of the proposal catches the attention of prospective clients. It summarizes the entire project. Draft a compelling executive summary and make it benefits-focused. Highlight why your software service is the best fit for the potential client's business needs.
Client testimonials
If you have case studies of past projects or testimonials from previous clients, add them. Adding social proof in your proposal makes you more credible in front of potential clients.
Project scope
This part of the proposal outlines the project description and project objectives. Add a tentative timeline when you can complete the project and deliver the final product.
Project timelines
Here, you give the potential client a break-up of all the project deliverables and the completion date of each milestone - from planning to testing and implementation.
Project members
Create a list of team members who are responsible for the project - their role, responsibility, and contact information. Mostly, the team members include - client, project manager, project analyst, software developer, project tester, and project designer.
Business opportunity
This section of the proposal explains the kind of business opportunities the proposed solution will generate and help the clients in their business.
Solution and software development process
Mention how you will approach the problem and create the software. Elaborate on each step with proper details to provide clarity to the client.
Budget breakdown
Pricing plays an important role for the client to budget a project. List down and describe the payment details in an itemized table format. Here are some items to be included in the pricing - software license, server license, database license, machines, development, project management, and training.
Constraints
Define the roadblocks that can be encountered in the software development process and your solution to overcome each of those challenges. This brings confidence to your potential client that you are capable of handling the issues.
Terms & conditions
Describe the terms and conditions both the parties have to oblige while working on the project - governing laws, payment terms, obligations, severability, amendments, and counterparts, etc.
Conclusion
If the proposal is lengthy, it is a good idea to conclude the proposal in a small paragraph along with a call to action and contact details - company name, contact person, email id, and contact number.
Acceptance and signature
Add signature placeholders where representatives of the software development company and the client’s company will sign the dotted line and transform the software proposal into a contract.
Tips for writing a software development proposal
Always research first - Don't haste into writing a software proposal. Always do a detailed analysis of the industry, organization, and business needs of the potential client. It will help you in effective documentation and drafting of your proposal.
Leverage templates - Templates liberate you from the time-consuming process of creating each proposal from scratch. Using a proposal template helps users to instantly create software proposals and deliver them to clients in a timely manner. Templates ensure that you have created a detailed project proposal - right from the introduction to services, payments, software products, resources, etc.
Pay attention to structure and format - Always structure your proposal well. Divide the proposal into sections and subsections. Add bullet points, white space for easy readability, page numbers, and use the right fonts. A professionally written proposal helps the client to browse through the proposal quickly.
Use visuals - Visuals help the clients to comprehend the document faster. Add images, charts, tables, graphs, wherever appropriate.
Always proofread - Always give your proposal a thorough read and check for grammatical or spelling errors before sending it to the clients for sign and acceptance.
Keep the language simple - Avoid jargon! A proposal written in a simplified way makes it easy to read and process.
Use Revv - Automate and streamline your software development proposals
Revv is an excellent document workflow automation system that takes care of all your proposal needs. Its advanced features accelerate the proposal process and increase the chances of winning the project.
Legally vetted and ready-to-use proposal templates - Revv's free proposal templates are well-drafted, structured, formatted, and vetted by legal teams. It helps the users in creating a detailed proposal without any errors.
You can also access other related templates for your business from Revv’s library. Here are some examples - software sales proposal, IT project proposal, IT development proposal, and many more.
Customization - You can customize the template using Revv's drag and drop editor to add, remove, or edit information.
Built-in electronic signatures - Revv's integrated eSignature system helps the service providers and prospective clients to quickly eSign the proposal from any device in a secure environment and turn it into a formal contract.
Collaboration - Revv speeds up the conversations between teams by helping them to collaborate within the proposal through tagging, notes, and attachments.
Real-time activity monitoring - With Revv, you get detailed analytics on all the actions that have been taken on the proposal - who has opened the proposal, who has signed and who hasn't, etc.
Automated notifications - Revv sends notifications to both senders and recipients. It keeps them posted on all the updates on the proposal and notifies them of the pending actions at their end.
Business apps integration - Up your proposal game! Integrate other business platforms with Revv through Native API or Zapier. Let the information flow seamlessly across platforms without any manual intervention.