Proposal template

Canonical template for the Proposal format.

# [Project or Engagement Title]
## Prepared for: [Client Name]
## Prepared by: [Your Name / Organization]
## Date: [Date]

## Executive Summary
[2-4 sentences: the problem, the proposed solution, and the ask. The reader should be able
to approve based on this section alone if they trust you enough.]

## The Problem
[What challenge or need does the client face? State it in the client's own terms, not yours.]

## Proposed Approach
[How will you solve the problem? Name the method and the reasoning. Say why this approach
is right for this specific client, not for this category of problem in general.]

## Scope and Deliverables
[What is included? What is explicitly not included? Ambiguity in scope becomes a dispute
later - be specific.]

## Timeline
[When will each phase or deliverable land? Name milestones, not just a final date.]

## Team and Credentials
[Who will do the work and why are they qualified? Keep this brief unless the client asked
for detail.]

## Investment
[What does it cost? State the fee, the payment structure, and any conditions directly.]

## Next Steps
[What does the client need to do to say yes? Name the action: a signature, a reply by
date, a kickoff call.]