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Proposal objectives, limitations, questions answered

Short answer

Three objectives are to secure funding, define scope/method/cost/schedule, and provide a baseline for control. Limitations include reliance on estimates, resource-intensive preparation, and possible bias. A good proposal answers why, what, how, who, where, when, cost, benefits, risks, and sustainability.

Write down three objectives and three limitations of any project proposal. Explain which types of questions a good project proposal should give answers to.

Objectives (three):

  1. To obtain approval and funding for the project from the client or donor.
  2. To describe clearly the scope, method, cost and schedule so that all parties agree on what will be done.
  3. To serve as a baseline for contract, monitoring and control.

Limitations (three):

  1. It is based on assumptions and estimates, so actual cost and time may differ.
  2. Preparation takes time and money, and incomplete data reduces accuracy.
  3. It may be biased towards winning approval and may overstate benefits; it cannot cover all future changes.

Questions a good proposal should answer

A well prepared proposal answers these questions:

QuestionMeaning
Why?Need, background and justification
What?Objectives, scope and deliverables
How?Method, technology and design
Who?Implementing team, responsibility and beneficiaries
Where?Location and site
When?Schedule and milestones
How much?Cost, budget and funding
What benefit?Economic, social and environmental outcome
What if?Risks and mitigation
How sustainable?Operation, maintenance and monitoring

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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