PROMPT SET: Identifying a Proposal's Many Parts
Learn how to identify and write key issues, tasks, deliverables, and value-added items — the essential building blocks of a winning methodology.
Why should I complete this prompt set?
master the building blocks of a winning methodology
A great methodology does more than describe your plan — it proves you understand the project. In this set, you’ll practice recognizing the core components of a strong methodology: key issues, tasks, deliverables, and value-added items. Each prompt helps you identify, write, or refine one of these elements using real RFP excerpts and proposal examples. You'll finish this set with the skills to build a clear, client-focused methodology that stands out in every proposal.
budget overruns and review sessions
Read this sentence from an RFP: “The City of Reddington has previously faced challenges with budget overruns and miscommunication. Please identify your plans for assessing risk on this project. Describe your detailed budget plan and explain how you will deliver a comprehensive project report and offer a post-project review session to ensure continuous improvement.” Is this sentence a deliverable, value-added, or scope item? Is it more than one?
cybersecurity risk response
Read this sentence from an RFP: “Hacking, malware, and ransomware have become a pressing concern for our competitors. So far, we have avoided these types of catastrophes, but we would like you to describe how you plan to address this issue in our new system.” Is this sentence a scope item, deliverable, or task? Can you explain how you would use this sentence to produce all three of those items?
going beyond the scope
Read this sentence from an RFP: “In the RFP we have fully described the core scope items for this project. Please tell us what more your firm plans to do to augment our web presence.” Is this sentence asking for a task, deliverable, or value-added/innovation response? How would you describe all three of those items from this one sentence?
groundwater and cost risk
Read this sentence from an RFP: “Groundwater levels in the area have created constructability problems for past projects. Consultants have previously underestimated how much this will affect the project budget.” Is this sentence a scope item, key issue, or task? How does it affect how you create all three items in your work plan?
interpreting condition indexes
Read this sentence from an RFP: “In 2022 an inspection report indicated that this structure has a Bridge Condition Index of 26, meaning that the abutments, wing walls, and deck are considered to be in fair to poor condition.” Is this sentence a task or key issue? If you were writing the work plan, how would you describe both?
training and deliverables
Read this sentence from an RFP: “Describe how you will organize and deliver facility operator training.” Is this asking for a task, deliverable, or both?
extreme weather failures
Read this sentence from a proposal: “Due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, you (the client) have been experiencing a higher number of failures in the watermain system.” Does this sound to you like a deliverable, task, or key issue? After identifying the item, describe how the other two related items might look.
training materials bullet point
Read this bullet point from a proposal: “Lesson plans and supplemental training manuals, handouts, visual aids, and other reference material needed for each session.” What do you think this button describes?
terms of reference
Read this bullet point from a proposal: “Develop a terms of reference for the Maintenance Management System in cooperation with the client.” Is this a task, deliverable, or both?
team communication statement
Read this sentence from a proposal: “Good communication and a thorough understanding of individual responsibilities are critical to success.” In what section would you normally see a sentence like this? What might follow it?
technology experience and recommendation
Read this sentence from a proposal: “We have engineered many lagoon projects across the province, from facultative, aerated to SAGR type systems. This gives our team the ability to provide prudent technology assessments and recommendations.” What is this sentence and where might you see it in a typical proposal?
traffic disruption and innovation
Read this sentence from an RFP: “We are seeking innovative solutions to minimize disruption to neighborhood traffic while construction is underway.” Is this sentence describing a scope item, a value-added opportunity, or a constraint? How would you respond to this sentence in your methodology?
drone-based inspections
You are writing a work plan for a bridge replacement project. One of the proposal sections reads: “Our team will conduct nighttime inspections using drone-based thermal imaging.” Is this a task, deliverable, or value-added item? How would you structure the sentence to make it sound more persuasive and aligned with the RFP?
color code your content
Based on the color-coding guidance in the Rapid Fire video (e.g., deliverables = blue, value-added = orange), take the following list of notes from a whiteboard and assign a color to each: | “Finalize utility coordination report” | “Extra training for part-time staff” | “Identify required shutdowns” | “Public trust has been eroded due to past failures”. Then label each one as a task, deliverable, key issue, or value-added item.
solving communication complaints
Read this sentence from an RFP: “We have received complaints in past projects about inconsistent communication between the contractor and city staff.” What type of item is this? How would you respond with a task, a deliverable, and a value-added component to demonstrate that you understand and can solve the issue?
turning generic into value-add
A proposal reviewer has noted that your methodology section sounds “generic and boilerplate.” You go back and find this sentence: “We will perform weekly site inspections and submit standard progress reports.” What could you add to this to turn it into a stronger value-added offering?
improving a competitive statement
Consider this statement from a competitive proposal: “Our team will provide on-site training and develop customized maintenance manuals.” Write a revised version of this statement that identifies the task, the deliverable, and a value-added feature — and makes your approach sound more desirable to the client.
separate the task from the deliverable
Take the following sentence and rewrite it so it clearly distinguishes the task from the deliverable: “Our team will coordinate all utility shutdowns with city staff and provide notice to affected stakeholders.” Then add a value-added sentence that shows additional effort or foresight.
why it matters
Why is it important to distinguish between tasks and deliverables in your work plan? Write a short paragraph (3–5 sentences) explaining the difference, and how failing to distinguish them can confuse clients or hurt your proposal’s clarity.
identify a bullet point
Read this bullet point from a proposal: “Well drilling and pump testing.” What do you think this button describes?