Consulting Proposal Structure & Template

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Management Consulting Training
Consulting Proposal Structure
& Template
Situation
What is the current
situation of the client?
Complication
What has changed, will
change in the future, or
causes problems?
Question
What is the major strategic
challenge the client is
faced?
1 Slide 1-2 Slides 1-2 Slides

2This document is an exclusive document available to Flevy Pro members - http://flevy.com/pro
Contents
Overview
Consulting Proposal Deck Structure
− Executive Summary
− Our Understanding of Your Strategic Challenge(s)
− Our Consulting Approach
− Hypothetical Results
− Project Organization and Team
− Qualifications
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This document presents a structure and template for a consulting project
proposal—it includes the presentation flow, slide structures, and verbiage
Presentation Overview
This document presents an overarching structure for a consulting project
proposal deck. It includes the high-level presentation flow, as well as specific
slide structure and verbiage structure. You can follow it as a general
presentation template. Details are more geared towards strategy projects, but
the core concepts can be applied to any project.
This structure and template can be used for pitch decks, project kick-off
presentations, as well as for specific status meetings after the project is
underway.
Notes for the consultant (not to be included in the
final deck) have been inserted in the post-it note
diagrams (see example on the right).
This is an example of a
post-it note. These
notes are for you, as
the reader/consultant.
This is an example of a
post-it note. These
notes are for you, as
the reader/consultant.

Contents
Overview
− Qualifications

We would be delighted to collaborate with <CLIENT> on the challenging
task of…
Executive Summary
<CLIENT> has …
Now <CLIENT> is faced with …
The major challenge for <CLIENT> is to …
We propose a structured option development and selection process that incorporates
strategic expectations and market developments. The options will be… <CLIENT> will
thereby be able to select the most appropriate option for its future strategic position.
<CONSULTANCY> proposes a experienced team of XX consultants to support this
challenging project. Based on the approach the estimated consulting investment
amounts to $XX – covering consulting support for a XX weeks project.
We would be thrilled to working with you on this groundbreaking and challenging
project. We are looking forward to discuss our approach with you.

Because of… <CLIENT> needs to …
Background & Objectives
Text
Text
Text
Background
Text
Text
Text
Project objectives
Bumper statement (if any).

Contents
Overview
− Qualifications

The major challenge for <CLIENT> is to…
Strategic Challenge
Situation
What is the current
situation of the client?
Complication
What has changed, will
change in the future, or
causes problems?
Question
What is the major strategic
challenge the client is
faced?
1 Slide 1-2 Slides 1-2 Slides
Understanding the strategic challenge of
the client (maximum of 5 slides)
− Use customer language
− Show industry expertise
− Use empirical data to support statements
− Demonstrate that you understand client
specific (!) needs
− Address CEO agenda
− Do not just repeat RFP, surprise with new
insights
Understanding the strategic challenge of
the client (maximum of 5 slides)
− Use customer language
− Show industry expertise
− Use empirical data to support statements
− Demonstrate that you understand client
specific (!) needs
− Address CEO agenda
− Do not just repeat RFP, surprise with new
insights

The first step is to understand the nature and context of the strategic
challenge you are asked to address
Strategic Challenges
STRATEGIC AMBIGUITY
New plan or better execution?
STRATEGIC INTENT
Plan for success?
STRATEGY EXECUTION
Prerequisites for execution?
Corporate
Level
Compromising or redefining
corporate strategy, portfolio
decisions:
− Fit of single business units
− Strategic impact of initiatives
New business opportunities
Match market developments
Face capital market requirements
Align with other stakeholder
requirements
Arrange business activities into
business responsibilities (strategy
fit and synergies)
Fit of planning and budgeting rout-
ine to business needs (basketing)
Create and fund initiative portfolio
contributing to corporate priorities
Business
Unit Level
Uncertainty of potential contribution
of BU to corporate strategy?
Match corporate objectives, fit into
and create value in corporate
portfolio
Correspond to Business Unit
market and competitive landscape
Create market oriented organi-
sational context, arrange business
into manageable number of P&Ls
Corporate and market alignment in
planning and budgeting
Definition and selection of initia-
tives to promote to corporate level
Functional
Level
Uncertainty of future importance of
competencies and functions
Potential contribution of function to
corporate/BU strategy
Contribute to corporate/ BU
strategy
Define sources of sustainable
competitive advantages
Create compelling business case
to receive funding
Design and promote initiatives to
create competitive advantage
Scope of Strategic Challenges
These are typified
characterizations of strategy
project challenges.
These are typified
characterizations of strategy
project challenges.

Based on the client challenge the strategy project has to answer different
questions
Strategic Challenge in Different Types of Strategy Project
Situation Complication Question
StrategicIntent
Definition
Strategy
Execution
Description of current
situation of the client and/or
the related industry
Strategy has already been
defined
Defined strategy is not
working/executed
Therefore client is not
performing well
What are the reasons for
missing strategy execution?
– Organisational context
– Resource allocation
– Development of existing
and new capabilities
Description of current
situation of the client and/or
the related industry
In- or external changes
require new strategy, e.g.
– Disruptive innovations
– Converging markets
– Turbulent new markets
– (Dis-)Investment
opportunities
What will be the appropriate
strategy for future success?
– Selecting appropriate set
of objectives
– Selecting the battlefields
– Applying the organisations
forces & capabilities

Contents
Overview
− Qualifications

The project will apply a structured framework to develop strategic options
in the context of…
Solution Framework – Overview
The strategic solutions can be described by using
the following framework
This structured framework helps to systematically
analyse all aspects of the strategic challenge and
to find the most appropriate solution for <CLIENT>
The framework consists of XX building blocks,
that will together form the solution
– X
– X
– X
DescriptionSolution Framework
ILLUSTRATIVE
Show one topic specific framework (methodology)
that is the basis for structuring the strategic
challenge of the client as well as the potential
solutions. Solution framework should
− cover all issues of the client’s strategic challenge
− cover the solution space
− be transferred to the separate work streams of the
project
Show one topic specific framework (methodology)
that is the basis for structuring the strategic
challenge of the client as well as the potential
solutions. Solution framework should
− cover all issues of the client’s strategic challenge
− cover the solution space
− be transferred to the separate work streams of the
project

The development of strategic options is based on a proven approach
Process/Approach Model
The XX-phase approach model shows how
different solutions are developed based on the
solution framework
The process starts with an analysis of …
Based on the results of the analysis …
− X
− X
− X
DescriptionApproach Model
ILLUSTRATIVE
1 2 3
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
For most projects, you should use the
Management Consulting Problem Solving
Process as your approach
− Full deck here:
http://flevy.com/pro/document/manag
ement-consulting-problem-solving-
process-3
For most projects, you should use the
Management Consulting Problem Solving
Process as your approach
− Full deck here:
http://flevy.com/pro/document/manag
ement-consulting-problem-solving-
process-3

Phase 1 analyses / creates / synthesizes / evaluates …
Phase 1 – Deliverables & Methods
Deliverables
Text
Text
Text
Methods
Text
Text
Text
One slide for each phase that describes
− what deliverables could be expected (e.g.
customer needs based market segmentation,
new business model, transformation
roadmap) and
− which methods are used to produce results
(e.g. focus interviews, workshops, data
analysis, benefits case modeling,
organizational design)
One slide for each phase that describes
− what deliverables could be expected (e.g.
customer needs based market segmentation,
new business model, transformation
roadmap) and
− which methods are used to produce results
(e.g. focus interviews, workshops, data
analysis, benefits case modeling,
organizational design)
Use a tracker to help
your audience tie
slides back to the
original approach
Use a tracker to help
your audience tie
slides back to the
original approach

Contents
Overview
− Qualifications

The project will deliver…
Hypothetical Results
Middle
Middle
StrategicDimensionA
HighLow
HighLow
Strategic Dimension B
Strategic
Option 1
Strategic
Option 2
Strategic
Option 3
Strategic
Option 4
Potential strategic options Target situation
ExplanationPotential strategic options
Based on the current knowledge we expect at
least XXX different potential strategic options
But not all options suit to clients objectives of …
We expect that finally <CLIENT> has to chose
between only XX strategic options that fit situation
and objectives
− Strategic option 1 will …
− Strategic option 3 will …
• Show portfolio of potential results of the
project (e.g. what strategic options are
possible)
• Highlight appropriate results (e.g. what
strategic option(s) will best suit to the
clients objectives)
• If appropriate show hypothetical results
for each work stream
• Show portfolio of potential results of the
project (e.g. what strategic options are
possible)
• Highlight appropriate results (e.g. what
strategic option(s) will best suit to the
clients objectives)
• If appropriate show hypothetical results
for each work stream

Contents
Overview
− Qualifications

Core elements of the XX-week-project include individual interviews,
workshops, and status meetings
Project Plan
Sep Oct Nov Dec
34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
Aug
5150494847
Option selection9/5/2015
Project start
9/19/2015
Today
Executive Board Committee
Workshop with core team
Structure
Positioning options
Financial analyses
Departmental competences
Market analysis
Individual interviews with VendorX
(Partner)
Portfolio
Individual interviews with core team tbd.tbd.
Executive Board Committee kick-off 8.9.05
12/20/2015
Project end
tbd.
10/25/15 (one-day workshop)
KL kick-off
tbd
tbd.
Module
Final report /
Workshop with core team
Measure planning
Workshop with group management
Update tbd.

Every work stream will be supported by one of our project consultants
Project Organization
ACCOUNT OVERSIGHT/BOARD
• Sponsors of project
• Check and sign-off results
• Supply of resources
• Key program decisions
BOTH BOARD & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Feedback on options, analysis results and feasibility
checks
• Input for concept designs and policies
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Project coordination and management
• Ownership of project team workshops
• Project status reporting
• Stakeholder alignment
WORKSTREAM LEADS & ANALYSTS
• Responsible for deliverables according to project plan
• Preparation, execution and documentation of focus
interviews, analysis and workshops
• Design of options and concepts
• Documentation of results
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
• Participation in interviews (and workshops, when
necessary)
• Name of VP/Partner of
record
• Name of sponsor
client(s), if known
• Name of Project
Manager
• Name of client(s) if
known
Subject matter experts
Account Oversight / Board
Project Management
Project Mgr.
Project Mgr.
Internal
analysis
• Name of consultant
known
External
Analysis
known
Business Case
known
Client
Client
<CONSULTANCY
LOGO>

<NAME> (<ROLE>)
Education and Competencies
Industry and Project Experience
Education
• Filler text
• Filler text
Competencies
• Filler text
• Filler text
Over XX years consulting experience within the
<INDUSTRY> (or <FUNCTIONAL AREA>)
• Filler text
• Filler text
• Filler text
Consulting internal roles
• Filler text
• Filler text
• Filler text
Level: XX
Nationality: American
Languages: English
Name: XX
Picture
Create one per
consultant—only 1
profile per slide
Create one per
consultant—only 1
profile per slide
Curriculum Vitae

Contents
Overview
− Qualifications

Key Business Issues
Filler text
Filler text
Filler text
Project Objectives
Filler text
Filler text
Filler text
Results
Filler text
Filler text
Filler text
Project Deliverables
Filler text
Filler text
Filler text
Insert headline about nature of this previous engagement—try to relate to
existing project work
Create one per unique
project (not 1 per
client)
Create one per unique
project (not 1 per
client)

Flevy (www.flevy.com) is the marketplace
for premium documents. These
documents can range from Business
Frameworks to Financial Models to
PowerPoint Templates.
Flevy was founded under the principle that
companies waste a lot of time and money
recreating the same foundational business
documents. Our vision is for Flevy to
become a comprehensive knowledge base
of business documents. All organizations,
from startups to large enterprises, can use
Flevy— whether it's to jumpstart projects, to
find reference or comparison materials, or
just to learn.
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions you may have
about our company.
• General Inquiries
support@flevy.com
• Media/PR
press@flevy.com
• Billing
billing@flevy.com

1
Flevy (www.flevy.com) is the marketplace
for premium documents. These
documents can range from Business
Frameworks to Financial Models to
PowerPoint Templates.
Flevy was founded under the principle that
companies waste a lot of time and money
recreating the same foundational business
documents. Our vision is for Flevy to
become a comprehensive knowledge base
of business documents. All organizations,
from startups to large enterprises, can use
Flevy— whether it's to jumpstart projects, to
find reference or comparison materials, or
just to learn.
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions you may have
about our company.
• General Inquiries
support@flevy.com
• Media/PR
press@flevy.com
• Billing
billing@flevy.com

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