1. Creating Effective Proposals
Utilizing Proposal GraphicsC O N S U L T I N G
2. What are Proposal Graphics?They’re worth 1,000 words when used properly and effectively
Great for page constraints
They show spatial relationships
They break up monotonous text
They convey information quickly
Some evaluators focus primarily on graphics
3. What Graphics RepresentArchitectures (1-3)
Technical diagrams, network topologies, etc.
Processes and Methodologies (4-9)
Management procedures, testing processes, KPMG methodologies, etc.
Relationships (10-11)
Organizational charts, reporting structures
Statistics and Related Information (12-19)
Revenue figures
Staff breakdown by skill area/degree
5. Graphics Development ProcessMessage/Purpose
Architecture/Processes/Relationships
Flow/Starting Point
Placement/Size (Mockup)
Draft Graphical Elements
Action Caption
Review - Is the original message clear?
Refine (often go through several iterations)
Review again
6. Action CaptionsEffective for conveying a message and reinforcing a theme
Should be informative and positive
Should tell the reader what to conclude from the graphic, and not serve solely as a title
Bad Example: “Project Schedule.”
Good Example: “KPMG’s project schedule accelerates delivery by 3 months due to the use of COTS software.”
7. Symptoms of Bad GraphicsToo much text (1,4)
Too much white space (14, 17, 19)
No clear message (1, 3, 4)
No clear entry point (1, 3, 4, 9)
Excessive use of “red” - sounds an alarm
Poor balance/symmetry (19)
Poor shading/contrast (2, 9, 17)
No consistency (4, 10)
8. Tips and PointersClear Message (12)
5 - 7 Second Test (15)
Flow and Entry Point (5)
Left-to-right, top-to-bottom, or center out
Organization (2)
Balance/Symmetry (6, 10)
Appropriate Size (2, 8, 16)
Use Shading to Provide Contrast (1, 8)
9. More Tips and PointersConsistency
Fonts, shading, shapes, pictures/images, verb tense, capitalization, arrows, titles, clip-art/diagrams, photos
Graphics should be conservative and professional, not flashy
Graphics can and should reinforce the text
Check references for accuracy
Page should look the same upside down (12)
Check spelling/grammar (4)
10. Any Questions?Carl Rosenblatt
BDST Manager, Public Services
Tyson’s Tower
703 747-6508