Proposal QA (Quality Assurance) is the systematic process of reviewing draft proposals and SOWs before they reach the client. It audits the text for scoping gaps, checks pricing blends against rate cards, and signs off on delivery feasibility and legal liability caps.
True Proposal QA is commercial validation, not just spellchecking. A professional review process requires separate scoping, pricing, and delivery approvals before proposal delivery.
Proposal QA Audit Checklist
- Exclusions: Is there a list of specific out-of-scope tasks?
- Assumption Match: Is every ranged estimate tied to a stated assumption?
- Discount Check: Is any discount below Deal Desk parameters approved?
- Handoff Sign-off: Has delivery signed off on the project schedule?
How long does a proper proposal review take?+
For standard SOWs, a peer QA review should take 30 to 60 minutes. For enterprise multi-million dollar deals, a Deal Desk review requires 1 to 2 sessions.
Can AI automate proposal QA?+
AI can accelerate the review by scanning drafts, checking rate cards, and identifying missing legal terms in seconds. However, human partners must apply judgment to approve commercial decisions.