What is the correct order for developing strategy and theme in a proposal?

The correct order for developing strategy and theme in a proposal is foundational to understanding how to create a compelling and competitive proposal. Beginning with a competitive assessment allows you to identify the landscape in which you are operating, assessing what competitors offer and outlining their strengths and weaknesses. This initial step is critical, as it informs all subsequent decisions regarding strategy and theme.

Following the competitive assessment, evaluating your own strengths and weaknesses is essential. This introspection enables a clearer understanding of where your offerings stand in relation to competitor insights, thus informing the strategies you can employ.

Next, addressing customer issues becomes vital. Understanding what the customer needs and the challenges they face directly influences how you craft your strategies and themes to appeal to potential clients effectively.

Once you have a firm grasp on the competitive landscape, your own position, and the customer's requirements, you can develop your strategies. These strategies should be directly aligned with addressing customer issues while leveraging your strengths.

Finally, establishing themes comes after considering all the previous elements. Themes help to unify your proposal and articulate your value proposition in a cohesive manner that resonates with the customer’s needs and addresses the competitive landscape.

This logical progression—from understanding the competition and self-assessment to focusing on customer problems and finally formulating strategies and themes—ensures