First Planner System®️ – 21 – The Proposal & Interview

The “How” of Pre-construction From Vision to Winning Proposals

In this blog, I’m continuing the reading of Elevating Preconstruction Planning and getting right into the design and pre-construction portion.

This is part three. This is how to plan the project. It’s the recipe and the ingredients for “making the cake”: preheating the oven, gathering and measuring ingredients, mixing them properly, baking the cake, cooling, assembling, and decorating it. In construction terms, it’s all done in pre-construction: designing and implementing your production system.

This includes:

• Project proposal
• Building the design team
• Enabling design
• Builder planning
• Starting strong

Defining Success Before You Begin

I plan a project so it can finish well  measured by safety, culture, rave reviews from owners and designers, a high-functioning and happy team, quality builds, successful trade partners, hitting or exceeding profit targets, and helping people meet their career goals.

When we understand the goals, we simply reverse-engineer the process to find the standards and actions we should use. That means starting right-to-left beginning with the end in mind.

The Proposal & Interview Process

Whether you’re responding to an RFQ or RFP, the steps are clear:

1. Go/No-Go Decision: Work with leadership to decide if you want the project.
2. Notify & Kick Off: Share RFP/RFQ documents, set meetings, and appoint the OPER (One Person Ultimately Responsible).
3. Create the Vision: A single message or theme, like the “hero’s journey,” where the client is the hero, you’re the guide, and success is the destination.
4. Assignments & Breakouts: Every team member knows their role and deliverables.
5. Collaborative Development: Use a synchronized platform to build the proposal together.

Builder’s Role in Proposals

As a builder, you will:

• Align with the OPER
• Develop macro-level attack plans, zone maps, logistics plans, and 3D visuals
• Ensure VDC requests are sent early (modeling is not instant)
• Showcase your ability to solve three major client problems clearly

The 10 Key Assignments in Proposal Prep

1. Identify Conditions of Satisfaction: Understand exactly what the client wants.
2. Research the Project: Dig into drawings, constraints, and opportunities.
3. Work Density Analysis: Identify phases and zones for the project.
4. Sketch Macro Phases: Visualize sequencing, buffers, and logic ties.
5. Create a Macro-Level Takt Plan: Build a high-level schedule.
6. Make Zone Maps: Show how the work will flow.
7. Logistics Plan: Plan access, material flow, and production.
8. Create Model Views: Use visuals to tell the story.
9. Review the Plan: Ensure risks are addressed and acceleration options exist.
10. Showcase 3 Major Solutions: Make it easy for the client to see why you’re the best choice.

Why This Matters

By properly preparing your proposal and interview content, you take the first step in the First Planner System, positioning yourself to win the project and keep momentum into planning and execution.

The next blog will focus on building the design team and setting parameters.

Key Takeaway

Winning work in construction isn’t just about price, it’s about vision, preparation, and showing the client exactly how you’ll solve their biggest problems. Start with the end in mind, plan right-to-left, and use every proposal and interview as your opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the build.