Proposal Development Framework

An AI-assisted framework for building comprehensive, professional business proposals through structured discovery and iterative refinement.

Overview

This framework guides executives through a systematic process to create formal proposals for large-scale projects (construction, infrastructure, consulting, etc.). Using an interactive interview approach, it helps you:

• Capture opportunity requirements and constraints
• Define clear scope of work and deliverables
• Develop detailed project plans and timelines
• Generate accurate budgets and resource allocations
• Document compliance requirements and risk mitigation
• Compile polished, client-ready proposal documents

Quick Start

1. Set up your company profile in ./company/ with capabilities, past projects, and credentials
2. Add templates to ./templates/ for pricing databases, compliance requirements, and proposal formats
3. Create a new proposal folder under ./agentic/proposals/ (e.g., P-001)
4. Run the 6-step workflow using the commands in AGENTS.md

The 6-Step Proposal Workflow

Do Step 1  →  Discovery & Requirements
Do Step 2  →  Scope of Work
Do Step 3  →  Project Plan & Timeline
Do Step 4  →  Budget & Resources
Do Step 5  →  Compliance & Risk
Do Step 6  →  Final Proposal Compilation

Folder Structure

framework/
├── AGENTS.md                      # Command definitions and workflow
├── README.md                      # This file
├── agentic/
│   ├── agents.d/                  # Company-specific rules and templates
│   ├── tasks/                     # Step-by-step instruction files
│   ├── proposals/                 # Active proposals
│   │   ├── P-001/                 # Individual proposal folder
│   │   │   ├── P-001-seed.md      # Initial opportunity description (optional)
│   │   │   ├── P-001-opportunity-brief.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-requirements-analysis.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-scope-of-work.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-project-plan.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-budget.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-compliance.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-risk-register.md
│   │   │   ├── P-001-final-proposal.md
│   │   │   └── exports/           # PDF exports
│   │   └── P-002/
│   └── checkpoints/               # Session snapshots
├── agents.local.d/                # Private overrides (git-ignored)
├── company/                       # Company profile and capabilities
│   ├── profile.md
│   ├── capabilities.md
│   └── past-projects/
├── templates/                     # Reusable templates and databases
│   ├── proposal-template.md
│   ├── pricing-database.xlsx
│   └── compliance-requirements.md
└── archive/                       # Completed proposals
    └── INDEX.md

How It Works

Starting a New Proposal

1. Create a proposal folder: mkdir -p agentic/proposals/P-001
2. Optional: Add a seed file with initial opportunity details: P-001-seed.md
3. Run Step 1: Do Step 1 and specify proposal folder P-001

The AI will interview you to understand:

• Client background and project context
• Technical requirements and constraints
• Budget range and timeline expectations
• Success criteria and evaluation factors
• Competitive landscape

Building the Proposal

Each step generates specific artifacts:

Step 1: Discovery

• Opportunity Brief (executive summary of the opportunity)
• Requirements Analysis (detailed technical and business requirements)

Step 2: Scope Definition

• Scope of Work (deliverables, exclusions, assumptions)
• Success criteria and acceptance standards

Step 3: Project Planning

• Project Plan (phases, milestones, tasks)
• Timeline with dependencies and critical path
• Resource requirements

Step 4: Budget Development

• Detailed budget breakdown
• Cost justifications and assumptions
• Resource allocation matrix
• Contingency planning

Step 5: Compliance & Risk

• Compliance documentation (permits, certifications, regulations)
• Risk register with mitigation strategies
• Safety and quality assurance plans

Step 6: Final Assembly

• Compiled proposal document
• Executive summary
• Table of contents and cross-references
• Professional formatting

Quality Control

Use built-in quality commands:

Review Proposal         # Comprehensive quality check
Compliance Check        # Verify regulatory requirements
Price Comparison        # Compare against historical data
Generate Executive Summary  # Create standalone summary

Exporting

Export to PDF           # Convert to client-ready PDF
Generate Budget Summary # High-level cost overview

Key Commands

See AGENTS.md for the complete command reference. Essential commands:

Proposal Workflow

• Do Step 1 through Do Step 6 - Execute proposal development steps
• Generate Executive Summary - Create standalone summary
• Export to PDF - Generate client-ready documents

Quality & Review

• Review Proposal - Quality check
• Compliance Check - Verify requirements
• Price Comparison - Validate pricing

Management

• List Proposals - View all active proposals
• Archive Proposal - Move completed proposal to archive
• Checkpoint - Save current state
• Restart - Resume from checkpoint
• Show Commands - Display available commands

Customization

Company-Specific Templates

Add your company's templates to ./agentic/agents.d/company-config.md:

# Company Configuration

## Pricing Standards
- Labor rates by role
- Equipment hourly rates
- Material markup percentages
- Overhead allocation method

## Compliance Requirements
- Required certifications
- Insurance minimums
- Bond requirements
- Safety standards

## Proposal Standards
- Cover page template
- Executive summary format
- Appendix requirements
- Branding guidelines

Custom Commands

Create new commands in ./agentic/agents.d/ using the command schema:

name: Custom Command
intent: What it does
inputs: What information is needed
writes: Files it creates/modifies
steps:
  - Step 1
  - Step 2
done: What to return

Best Practices

1. Start with a seed file - Create <proposal-id>-seed.md with initial opportunity details for faster discovery
2. Use checkpoints - Save state after major milestones or before significant revisions
3. Maintain pricing databases - Keep historical cost data current for accurate estimates
4. Review before export - Always run Review Proposal and Compliance Check before client delivery
5. Archive completed work - Move won/lost proposals to archive with status metadata
6. Reuse winning patterns - Reference past successful proposals from archive

Example Workflow

# New construction proposal for municipal project

1. Create folder: P-001
2. Add seed: P-001-seed.md (project basics from RFP)
3. Run: Do Step 1
   → Interview covers site conditions, permits, timeline
4. Run: Do Step 2
   → Scope includes phasing, utilities, site work
5. Run: Do Step 3
   → 18-month timeline with 5 phases
6. Run: Do Step 4
   → $4.2M budget with 12% contingency
7. Run: Do Step 5
   → Environmental permits, OSHA compliance, risk mitigation
8. Run: Do Step 6
   → Final 45-page proposal compiled
9. Run: Review Proposal
   → 95% quality score, minor edits needed
10. Run: Export to PDF
    → Client-ready document generated

Support Files

Required in ./company/

• Company profile and history
• Key personnel qualifications
• Past project portfolio
• Certifications and licenses
• Financial strength indicators

Recommended in ./templates/

• Proposal cover page template
• Pricing database (Excel or CSV)
• Compliance checklist by industry
• Standard terms and conditions
• Insurance and bonding information

Tips for Success

Discovery Phase

• Be thorough in requirements gathering
• Ask about unstated constraints
• Understand client evaluation criteria
• Identify differentiators early

Scope Development

• Be explicit about exclusions
• Document assumptions clearly
• Define acceptance criteria upfront
• Align deliverables with client goals

Budget Creation

• Use historical data for validation
• Include adequate contingencies
• Justify pricing clearly
• Consider lifecycle costs

Risk Management

• Identify risks proactively
• Quantify impact and probability
• Define clear mitigation strategies
• Assign ownership

Final Review

• Verify all cross-references
• Check calculations and totals
• Ensure compliance completeness
• Review for clarity and professionalism

Version History

• v1.0.0 - Initial release
• Framework adapted from software development methodology
• Optimized for construction, infrastructure, and consulting proposals

License

See LICENSE file in root directory.

Contributing

Company-specific improvements should be added to ./agentic/agents.d/ to keep the base framework clean and reusable across projects.