Template for preparing Consultant's Proposal for Implementing ISO 9001:2000

Certain things, known as tools of the trade are identified with certain professions – such as the sushi master and his collection of sushi knives or the Financial Planner and his HP 12C calculator.

For a Business Consultant, good templates to produce business proposals are part of the tools of the trade. While serving as trainees or during the course of one’s work, one would have come across poorly as well as well written business proposals. The serious or proactive ones would have taken note of it or even adopt it for use.

Overtime, writing such proposals becomes a second nature for many and to start looking for a good template when you are already out in the market may be too late.

Jim Wynne said:

I use a power saw.

Neurosurgeons use power saws.

Therefore, I can saw peoples' heads open.

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Jim,

That's stretching it.....

Stijloor.

Jim Wynne said:

I use a power saw.

Neurosurgeons use power saws.

Therefore, I can saw peoples' heads open.

Click to expand...

Stijloor said:

Jim,

That's stretching it.....

Stijloor.

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Not really; the point was that a template designed by a lawyer isn't the same as a template designed by someone who's ignorant of the applicable law. Just because I can design a template doesn't mean that I should design them for applications where I have no qualifications, in the same sense that I can use a saw, but not to cut someone's head open.

When we're dealing with requirements that range outside our areas of expertise, we need to get help. As Wes aptly pointed out, it's not enough just to get a lawyer; you need one who's qualified in business law and commercial transactions. Using a lawyer who practices criminal law to draw up a business contract is the equivalent of allowing a proctologist to open your cranium, to extend my analogy even further.

Jim Wynne said:

Not really; the point was that a template designed by a lawyer isn't the same as a template designed by someone who's ignorant of the applicable law. Just because I can design a template doesn't mean that I should design them for applications where I have no qualifications, in the same sense that I can use a saw, but not to cut someone's head open.

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Maybe I was not specific enough. Laywers are specialized in certain fields and they use templates that they or perhaps others in their legal fields may have developed. For example, when we incorporated, our laywer used a format that is fairly common and he made some additions and added clauses applicable to our situation. That's all I meant.

Stijloor.

Stijloor said:

Maybe I was not specific enough. Laywers are specialized in certain fields and they use templates that they or perhaps others in their legal fields may have developed. For example, when we incorporated, our laywer used a format that is fairly common and he made some additions and added clauses applicable to our situation. That's all I meant.

Stijloor.

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Jim's point (I think) and, certainly, mine, is a GOOD and APPROPRIATE lawyer will ensure any template, his own creation or one off the web, will fit the law of the land where the contract will be enforced and will also be available to help the consultant enforce the contract if it should become necessary.

Consulting is a BUSINESS, same as any other business. If you are serious about the business of consulting, you should be serious about ensuring your business has all the protection you can get. Think of it as "insurance" same as you get for your car, home, health, life. It may not be necessary, but it sure does give peace of mind so you can concentrate on the other things which help your career.

A good consultant can gross anywhere from $50,000 USD to $500,000 USD per year. If he has staff and does a lot of traveling, the gross can easily range up to ten times that number. Why on earth would anyone jeopardize that kind of business to save $100 to $500 on the cost of having a qualified attorney customize a proposal contract which can be easily modified by adding the "whats" specific to each client?

I have a legal education specializing in "agency and contract" and yet I don't draw up my own contracts without having an attorney double check and "sign off" on the contract.

Therefore, I suggest, if you absolutely MUST have a template, that you take the template to a good, qualified attorney in the jurisdiction in which you will be working and have him review and approve the template.

Dear All,

Thanks a ton for the response. i have gone through most of the replies and i feel sorry to mention that despite having received the best of responses and suggestions, i am far away from the solution. as mentioned we are a start up venture and hiring a lawyer is not a viable option at the moment. Plus i am looking at some kind of template that i can simply edit to suit the requirement. should any 1 of you use or have access to such a document, i would more than welcome your contribution by forwarding the same to me.

Regards

Ketal Sheth

I've done hundreds of quotes over the years but for my ISO 9001 Implementation quotes I've never used a lawyer, nor have I ever seen a need for one for an implementation quote.

Here's an old one from about 10 years ago as an example:

Re: Rough Order of Magnitude Quotation CHI-072301

Sir:

At this point I am hesitant to provide other than a Rough Order of Magnitude quote until a gap analysis is performed. Without knowing the specific status of your facility, I would be less than truthful to attempt to predict implementation costs. The Gap Analysis below is Firm Fixed Price and includes all expenses - there are no 'hidden' costs, such as travel.

Gap Analysis:
On-Site 1 Day
Office 1 Day
Total US$1400.00

The gap Analysis will consist of a one day on-site visit during which approximately 3/4 of the time we would be touring the facility with an up-front document review (desk audit) and question/answer session. Within 5 business days of my visit I will provide you with the following deliverables: 1) A detailed analysis of your current status (including a base document review), 2) a proposed project plan in Microsoft Project and 3) projected project cost.

In response to your request for quotation, I submit the following:

Rough Order of Magnitude Quotation CHI-072301:

I am going to estimate the fees for Cayman services for the project to be somewhere between US$ 12,000 and US$ 18,000.

Fees: On-site US$ 850 / Day
Office US$ 65 / Hour

There are two basic reasons for the range. The first is that I have not yet evaluated the status of the facility (needs are not identified). The other is each company has their own personality. Some companies really take control and get things done internally. Some want more direct assistance some want other 'incidentals' such as documentation origination. Some need certain training and some need none. Others simply let a project languish for a number of reasons.

So far I have not had a project come in over budget. One client came in (ISO9002 registration, 95 employees, single location) at US$ 7000. Obviously, they did most of the ‘work’ internally. On the other hand, in 1997-98 one large multi-national came in at roughly US$ 225,000 over 15 months (QS9000 + Semiconductor Supplement, 20,000+ employees, multiple locations).

Per your specific request:

Scenario 1: ‘Complete’
This includes all ISO related documentation. As discussed, without a visit I would not begin to quote on process documentation.
Includes applicable ISO 9001:2000 related training, but does not include the price of training materials.

Note: Using the word ‘complete’ does not relieve the company of the responsibility to have personnel available for implementation and system responsibility. For example, if no nonconformance system exists, someone in the company will have to be responsible for the system once it is designed. ISO 9001 is not something a company ‘implements’ and that’s it. The nonconformance system will have to be overseen by a company employee – a new responsibility. In addition, a system cannot be designed in a vacuum. This is to say appropriate employee(s) must be available for me to interface with as the system is designed.

Another example is internal audits. They are a requirement and either training will be necessary for several individuals or the function must be contracted out yearly. In addition, there must be a person responsible for the system internally – another new responsibility – whether audits are out-sourced or not.

What this means is I cannot come in and give you a bunch of systems and walk out the door without the involvement (read time) of key company personnel. In addition, your company must have an on-site ‘expert’ who understands ISO 9001 and how your company complies (see General Notes, item 2 below).

Developing and managing your implementation plan
* Developing and drafting your Quality Manual – Level 1 documents
* Establishing and documenting process flows for your procedures - Level 2 documents
* Interviewing your personnel and establishing detailed instruction level documents - Level 3 documents
* Identifying essential records to prove compliance with your Quality System
* Interviewing and helping select the registrar that is right for you

The instructions we can create can incorporate a variety of visual elements to promote clarity and increase understanding. This includes:
* Digital photographs
* Drawings
* Flow diagrams
* Scanned images
* Text

We can also help you establish new systems, fine tune existing systems and maintain those systems after implementation. Consider the following examples of how we can establish and maintain your quality system to help it remain successful:

* Instrument Calibration
* Establish and document your calibration system (including calibration instructions and gage R&R’s)
* Locate and identify instruments
* Catalog instruments
* Identify, interview, and recommend equipment and calibration suppliers
* Track the instruments within your calibration program

* Internal Auditing
* Establish and document your internal audit system
* Train your internal auditors and assist with initial audits
* Schedule and track audits
* Monitor and track corrective actions from findings identified during both internal and external audits
* Follow up on corrective actions to verify effectiveness

Document and data control
* Establish and document your document and data control system
* Identify documents for your master list
* Review documents when necessary
* Monitor and track the document review process
* Regulate hard copy or electronic distribution of all controlled material


US$18,000

Scenario 2: Secondary Contractor
We briefly discussed a sub-contract situation. As I explained, this is more or less how a typical implementation works in companies which prefer to do most of the work internally.
Includes applicable ISO 9001:2000 related training, but does not include the price of training materials.

US$ 12,000

General Notes:
1. I do not work on a contract basis. Charges are ‘per day’. For Chicago, there is a minimum 2 day requirement for visits. There are no hidden charges. Stated rates include all travel and related expenses.
2. While I can work with you in your project, I cannot ‘take the exam’ for you. During the registration audit appropriate personnel in your company must be ready to answer the auditor’s questions. As I explained, an alternative is to contract your management representative position, which some companies do. I do not particularly recommend this methodology, but I am willing to discuss it further. This is discussed in a thread at: https://Elsmar.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000026.html

I suggest you take a read through the attached PowerPoint file (Quote_Considerations.ppt) for some extra thoughts on your project.

With regard to ISO 14000 implementation, concurrent implementation makes the most sense. Appendix A of ISO 9001:2000 is an alignment matrix. See ISO14001_vs_ISO9001.xls (attached).

Add US$ 5,000

If you would like me to come up for a day to meet, discuss your scenario and speak with you (and any others you might want to involve), I would be happy to do so at no cost.

Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.

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I suggest you not take the prices as current or relevant. This was a specific quote for a specific company. I charge differently for every job. I charge smaller companies like this one less than, for example, Motorola or Borg-Warner or Harley Davidson. Location is also a factor to consider.

Hello Mark, Good Morning there! I need to prepare ISO 9001 and 14001 Consultation proposal.Could you please let me read some proposal/quotation samples.

Highly appreciate your kind feedback.

Thanks.

ketsheth said:

Dear All,

I represent a startup venture providing services in ISO 9001 Consulting. however to improve the standard of our proposal, i am seeking your help. if you could kindly provide me with some resources on templates for ISO 9001 Consulting Proposals or if you could provide me with the files.

looking forward to your help

Thnx and regards

Keta

l

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Hi
try to give an overview of your portofolio
Then your how tothen some tesmonials are always good
Good luck

ketsheth said:

Dear All,

I represent a startup venture providing services in ISO 9001 Consulting. however to improve the standard of our proposal, i am seeking your help. if you could kindly provide me with some resources on templates for ISO 9001 Consulting Proposals or if you could provide me with the files.

looking forward to your help

Thnx and regards

Keta

l

Click to expand...

I started ISO 9001:2000 consultancy in 2002 a few years befor you and I am looking a template now in 2020!. Never felt the need I guess. But having said that, I find that there are some things here that are very useful.
1. Quote for what you will do, not what you can do.
2. The statement that ' the consultant probably will have the best chance of success if he helps the client understand the QMS is part of, not separate from, the Business Management System'. I think now everybody understands this. But they still want to delink ISO from their Business Management System.
3. Include a project plan. I still do not do it unless the client asks for it , for obvious reasons.

Probably I am able to appreciate whats being said here now better than if I had seen this post in 2007. Like the remark about one of the member saying 'have you ever fired a client?'! wow, frankly no, not a sinlge case. I have backed out in a few cases thats all. But If the question was 'how many times did you feel like firing your client'? the answer would be at least a dozen times!