Project Proposal Template

The following template is used by The Canadian Payroll Association as a standardized approach for considering potential projects.  Notice the significant focus on mission/strategies, and the emphasis on the project's marketing impact and resource implications.

Introduction/Background:

• Briefly describe the project and how it developed

Purpose and Objectives:

• What will the project accomplish?

• What are the objectives and are they measurable?

• Why are we considering it?

Relationship to Strategic Plan:

• How does it relate to the mission and key strategies?

• Is it a new development?

• Is it a crisis?

Membership Segments/External Audiences Reached:

• What membership segments will it reach? (Practitioners, Vendors)

• What external audiences will be reached? (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary)

Project Deliverables e.g. Value/Benefits/Messages:

• What are the projects deliverables?

• What values and benefits will members derive?

• What are the messages?

• What is its relevance to members?

• What is its relevance to customers (purchasers who are not members)?

Project Scope and Possible Execution:

• How broad is the project

• What possible execution opportunities are there?

• How feasible is it?

• Is it related to a current or past program?

Timelines:

• What are the timelines e.g. one quarter, one year, multiple years?)

Budget/Resources:

• What is the budget?

• What is the financial impact?

• How is the project to be resourced? (Staff, Engage consultants, partnership, etc.)

• What are the estimates of time and money?

Measurement/Evaluation (Accomplishment of Objectives):

• What tangible evaluation of accomplishments are there?

• What are member/customer satisfaction measures?

Possible Complications/Challenges:

• What are the potential challenges and complications?

Responsibilities and Coordination:

• Who does what, when and how?

Source: Patrick Culhane, President and CEO of The Canadian Payroll Association based in Toronto.  Used with permission.

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