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Staying on track: keeping your bid plan on schedule
Time is tight in proposals – staying on schedule is essential to success and sanity.
Techniques to keep your proposal on time
The challenge
Proposal writing is a race against the clock. With multiple contributors, shifting priorities, and tight deadlines, it's easy for plans to slip. But when timelines derail, quality suffers – and in the worst cases, you miss the deadline altogether. The challenge is keeping your bid plan on track without burning out your team.
Overcoming the challenge
Start with a simple, high-level visual plan. Before diving into the detail, give your team a clear picture of the timeline, key milestones, and dependencies. This shared understanding helps everyone see where they fit in – and when to raise a flag if something's off track.
Then build a detailed project timeline with realistic deadlines and buffer time for the unexpected. Use project management tools to track progress and spot delays early. Regular status meetings keep everyone aligned and accountable, while also creating space to solve problems before they escalate.
Flexibility is key. Things will change – so build in contingency and be ready to adapt. But don't let flexibility become chaos. Stick to your core plan and adjust with purpose.
And remember: staying on track isn't just about time – it's about energy. Avoid last-minute scrambles by pacing the work, supporting your team, and celebrating progress along the way.
How we can help
We help teams teams stay on schedule through:
Proposal training focused on planning and time management
Coaching for bid leaders to manage timelines and teams
Tools and templates to support structured delivery
A well-managed timeline is the foundation of a winning proposal. If you want to keep your bids on track and your team on form, we're here to help.
To find out more about the key skills and tools necessary to develop powerful, compelling proposals contact our experts on 0800 0096800 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
