Main steps to be taken when creating software project proposals - Swproposal

Software project proposals are rather complex documents, and as a result, beginners in the IT industry may face several issues in creating their first successful software project proposal. In an effort to assist software engineers, we have decided to share our experience. The software proposal template described in this article is based on a web application development project and was created using the http://www.swproposal.com/ tool.

A software development proposal consists of:

1. Project details

1.1 General project description

Provide brief information about the client’s project, such as project name, short project description, objectives, and main software development technologies.

1.2. List of important requirements

Summarize software project requirements in your own words.

For example: suggests building the system using the following technologies:

• HTML5
• HTML
• jQuery Mobile
• ASP.NET MVC
• Microsoft.NET 4.0
• Javascript, etc.

1.3. Possible risks

Indicate possible risks, which may occur during project implementation, such as technical issues, missed deadlines, exceeding the budget, and more.

2. System architecture

Upload software architecture design and add a brief description.

3. Additional details

3.1 Documentation

Choose which documentation will be provided together with the project implementation and delivery:

• Commented source code
• Mockups
• Software requirements specification
• Technical documentation

3.2. Tests

List any test you are going to run on the project:

• Functional testing
• Performance testing
• Destructive testing
• Usability testing
• Security testing
• Internalization and localization testing

3.3. Communication

Specify the type of communication channels you are going to utilize with your client throughout project implementation and delivery:

• Day to day: the client will be available to communicate with you daily via Skype, e-mail, etc.
• Day to day: direct access to the latest development version of the system (demo application)
• Weekly: weekly software development reports
• Weekly: weekly conference calls with a presentation of project development results
• Monthly: monthly summary report of software development results

4. Breakdown of project work scope

Divide each phase (stage) of software development project into tasks and sub-tasks. Select a labor category and estimate the development effort (man-hours) needed to implement each project stage, task, sub task, etc. It is recommended that you put the project breakdown data in a table to make it easier to understand for the client.

5. Delivery schedule of the software development project

Based on project development breakdown data, write the number of anticipated work days, deliverables, and effort for each labor category needed for the implementation of each project stage.

The project will be implemented in the following stages:

6. Project budget calculation

Fill in the hourly rates for each labor category; specify additional project costs and the Software Proposal tool will automatically calculate the project development budget. The calculation is also based on the breakdown of work scope data.

7. Terms

7.1. Payment terms

Add payment terms divided into pre-payment, payment after completion of individual phases, etc. Specify a desired payment method.

7.2.Warranty terms

Add software development warranty terms.

For example: All errors discovered within the first three months of system operation will be fixed at no additional cost.

7.3. Maintenance terms

List maintenance terms after software project delivery.

8. Company information

Add your company information, including a brief description, date of establishment, key skills, services, number of full-time employees, location, etc.

9. Portfolio and references

Add relevant, similar software development projects from your company portfolio. Rather than focus on project descriptions, you should simply link to websites or SAAS applications you created in order to illustrate your expertise.

The web based tool, Software Proposal Portal used to create software proposals, considerably facilitates our sales process and saves a lot of precious business hours. Based on the project template described above, we recommend that you get started right away and acquire your first clients by providing them with professional, well-structured, and transparent software proposals.

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