101 Things Your Business Development Process Should Address

It's not the flow chart that makes a process successful.  It's not even the process manual (that sits on a shelf) that makes a process successful.  What makes a process successful are the tools that people use to execute the process.  You need to make it easier for your stakeholders to execute a proposal using your process than it is to execute a process without your process.  The tools and job aids you offer will determine how easy that is.  Here is a list of 101 things that should be part of your business development process.

1. Introduction To The Process
2. Descriptions Of Roles And Responsibilities
3. Explanation For What The Executive Sponsor Can Expect
4. Explanation For What The Business Development Manager Can Expect
5. Explanation For What The Capture Manager Can Expect
6. Explanation For What The Proposal Manager Can Expect
7. Explanation For What The Process Administrator Can Expect
8. Explanation For What The Production Manager Can Expect
9. Explanation For What Writers Can Expect
10. Explanation For What Subject Matter Experts Can Expect
11. Explanation For What Reviewers Can Expect
12. Explanation For What Production Staff Can Expect
13. Guidance For Estimating Pursuit Staffing Requirements
14. Guidance For Budgeting And Bid And Proposal Cost Accounting
15. Form For Role Assignments
16. List Of Goals To Be Achieved Before The RFP Is Released
17. Form For Describing The Opportunity
18. Form For Tracking Key Dates
19. Form For Tracking The Contact History
20. Form For Tracking Pursuit Action Items
21. Description Of The Review Process To Ensure RFP Release Readiness
22. Schedule For Readiness Reviews
23. Guidance For Readiness Reviewers
24. Explanation Of Bid/No Bid Considerations
25. Bid/No Bid Decision Form
26. Lead Identification Report Template
27. Criteria/Requirements For Lead Identification Review
28. Lead Identification Report Review Form
29. Lead Qualification Report Template
30. Criteria/Requirements For Lead Qualification
31. Lead Qualification Report Review Form
32. Intelligence Gathering Report Template
33. Criteria/Requirements For Intelligence Gathering
34. Intelligence Gathering Report Review Form
35. Bid Preparation Report Template
36. Criteria/Requirements For Bid Preparation
37. Bid Preparation Report Review Form
38. Capture Plan Report Template
39. Criteria/Requirements For Capture Plan
40. Capture Plan Review Form
41. Teaming and Subcontracting Document Status Tracking Form
42. Win Strategy Worksheet
43. Description Of What To Do While You Are Waiting For RFP Release
44. Sources Sought Release & Response Checklist
45. Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Request Guidance
46. Draft RFP Release Checklist
47. Guide To Influencing The RFP
48. RFP Release Checklist
49. RFP Distribution List
50. RFP Release Bid/No Bid Decision Form
51. RFP Question Submission Guidance
52. RFP Question Collection List
53. RFP Amendment Checklist
54. Kickoff Meeting Guidance
55. Kickoff Meeting Agenda
56. Kickoff Planning Worksheet
57. Kickoff Meeting Invitation Template
58. Proposal Schedule Guidance
59. Sample 10, 30, 45, and 90 day Schedules
60. Proposal Schedule Form
61. Staffing And Assignments List
62. Points Of Contact List
63. Bid And Proposal Cost And Time Tracking Instructions
64. Work Location Guidance And Reservation Instructions
65. Equipment Request And Use Guidance
66. Access Guidance (Physical, Network, Software)
67. Proposal Software Guide
68. Sustenance Guidance (Food And Personal Necessities)
69. Lodging Guidance and Reservation Instructions
70. Travel Guidance and Instructions
71. Compliance Matrix/Outline Guidance
72. Compliance Matrix/Outline Template
73. Content Planning Guidance
74. Content Plan Template
75. Content Plan Checklist
76. Production Planning Guidance
77. Production Plan Template
78. Proposal Quality Validation Guidance
79. Proposal Quality Validation Planning Form
80. Proposal Quality Validation Review Checklist
81. Guidance For Managing The Schedule
82. Guidance For Managing Assignments
83. Guidance For Managing Validation Reviews
84. Guidance For Managing Changes
85. Guidance For Managing The Proposal Budget
86. Guidance For Writers
87. Templates For Writers
88. Style Guide For Writers
89. Configuration Management Instructions
90. Instructions For Requesting Graphics
91. Standards For Developing Graphics
92. Tracking Form for Graphics
93. Final Production Checklist
94. Submission Readiness Checklist
95. Shipping Instructions and Tracking Guidance
96. Delivery Guidance
97. Delivery Receipt
98. Post Submission Plan
99. Response To Questions, Requests For Clarification, Deficiencies, And Revisions
100. Debrief Plan
101. Lessons Learned Form