While some Web, CMS and Design projects simply drop into the collective E-Cubed (www.e-cubed.com) lap a larger percentage come via RFP or ‘Request for Proposal’. I typically refer to these as ‘Requests for Pandemonium’ since many if not most are written by well meaning yet usually unqualified individuals.
Vendors (many unqualified as well) must then guess at available budgets, propose solutions based on vague ideas and unclear concepts as well as mitigate unforeseen risks to deliver success.
Unrealistic Budgets + Unclear Scope x RISKS = Doubtful Success
While discussing these issues with new prospects as well as new clients I have been urged by several over the last few months to write a series of articles that will hopefully provide a much needed perspective for those thinking about writing an RFP for circulation. When Oranges can be compared to Oranges a more comparitive assessment can be made of all RFP respondents.
A high quality Request For Proposal will result in clearly understood objectives, better resulting solutions and elevated strategic outcomes for all involved.
Please help get this started by throwing some qestions and concepts my way. I’ll either respond here or I’ll provide a direct email response if it is of a private nature.
February 7th, 2010 → 2:42 pm
[...] BC. He hates RFPs but he regularly responds to them and wins contracts, so he might know what he is talking about. I think in nice words he means educate the [...]