4-1

Chapter 4

Business
Research
Requests and
Proposals

McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

 4-2

Learning Objectives
Understand
• the purpose of the request for proposal
and the research proposal; how each is
used
• the variations on each and their contents
• the processes for evaluating the quality of
proposals
 4-3

Exhibit 4-1 The Research

Proposal Process
 4-4

Exhibit 4-1 The Research Proposal

Process: Using a Research Supplier
 4-5

Benefits of the RFP

Formalize
research procurement
process

Provide Provide
control evaluation
function opportunity
RFPs
Provide Establish
monitoring performance
device expectations
 4-6

Unethical Uses of RFPs

• Help sponsor plan project budget

• Gather cost estimates and design ideas
for in-house projects
• Create impression of competitive bid for
sole-source project
 4-7

Activities in the
RFP Process
Qualify potential vendors

Write and distribute RFP

Answer supplier questions

Evaluate submissions

Award contracts and start

Provide critique to all suppliers

 4-8

RFP Components

Proposal administration information

Summary statement of problem

Technical section

Management section

Contracts and license section

Pricing section
 4-9

Covering Kids RFP

 4-10

Pricing Section

• Services • Facilities/ Equipment

• Data collection • Pilot tests
• Data analysis • Report preparations
• Client meetings • Computer models
• Travel • Project management
• Respondent survey • Questionnaire/
incentives reproduction costs
• Mail costs • Labor
• Telephone costs • Deliverables
• Design meetings
 4-11

RFP Elements

Instructions to
bidders

Cost proposal Background

RFP
Elements
Services and Vendor
support information

Proposed
solution
 4-12

Exhibit 4-2 Qualifying

Research Suppliers
Research Supplier/ Staff Compatibility/ Desirability
• Experience and industry Supplier Facilities/
status Procedures
• Code of ethical • Project management
performance system
• Skill and experience • Contractual arrangements
– Project management • Complaint handling
– Research skills procedures
– Business knowledge • Quality assurance
• Facilities
• Reporting procedures
 4-13
Exhibit 4-1: The Research
Proposal Process:
Doing the Project Internally
 4-14

The Research Proposal

Present
management question

Suggest data Discuss

collection Purpose research
and analysis efforts

Propose
necessary data
 4-15

Exhibit 4-3
Proposal Development
 4-16

Exhibit 4-4
Proposal Complexity
 4-17

Structuring the
Research Proposal
• Executive Summary • Research
• Problem Statement Qualifications
• Research Objectives • Budget
• Literature Review • Schedule
• Importance/ Benefits • Facilities
of Study • Project Management
• Research Design • Bibliography
• Data Analysis • Appendices
• Nature/Form
 4-18

Exhibit 4-5
Modules
 4-19

Researcher Qualifications

Professional Relevant
Research Management
Competence Experience
 4-20

Budgeting for Samples

Scientific
Telephone
Samples (STS)
provides
random dial,
listed, and
business
samples for
telephone and
online surveys
 4-21

Exhibit 4-6 Sample

Proposed Budget
 4-22

Exhibit 4-7 CPM Schedule

 4-23

Elements of a Project
Management Plan

Management
Financial/ competence Organization
Legal of research
responsibility team
Plan
Team Elements
relationship Procedures
with client
Examples of
past work
 4-24

The Research Proposal

for MindWriter
 4-25
Exhibit 4-8 Research Proposal
for MindWriter Complete Care
Satisfaction Research
 4-26

Evaluation of a
Research Proposal
Informal Formal
• Development of
review criteria
• Assignment of points
• Assignment of
weights
• Generation of a
proposal score
• Consideration of other
factors
 4-27

Key Terms

• Critical Path Method • Proposal

• Executive summary – Unsolicited
• Literature review – Solicited
• Project management • Request for Proposal
 4-28

Covering Kids RFP