Process Improvement Time
Take advantage of the "Slow Season"
When is the last time you took a close look at your Capture and Proposal processes?
While there are still pockets of heavy Capture and Proposal solicitation activity throughout the Federal Government, activity is obviously slower than normal. Add to that the upcoming summer vacation season when again, Government activity slows down and you have the perfect opportunity to take the time to assess your Capture and Proposal processes. Here's a few suggestions on how to tackle the assessment.
1. Assign an Assessment Team Lead - Someone who is familiar with the processes, investigative by nature, and open to change.
2. Create a cross functional team with representatives from corporate management, business development, your proposal center, program management/operations, finance, contracts, legal and others as applicable.
3. Consider an external facilitator, a contractor or experienced individual from another corporate division.
4. Set a realistic timeline for the assessment and stick to it.
5. Meet regularly and remain dedicated to the project.
6. Thoroughly review your Capture and Proposal processes and ask the tough question - Are you following them? If not, why?
7. Break out your previous "Lessons Learned," if you have them, and ensure relevant lessons have been or will be discussed and captured during the assessment.
8. Brief the findings and recommendations to a least three levels: the personnel who execute the processes, the department head level, and corporate leadership.
9. Once you have buy-in and approval, finalize the updates and set up training sessions to educate all those involved in the Capture and Proposal processes.
10. Archive your efforts and set a future date to check on the functionality of the changes.
MTSC has Associates that are highly experienced with creating and reviewing Capture and Proposal processes, and are ready to assist your efforts.
