How to Write a Tender · Bid management

Managing the Tender Production

Someone has to run the process. They coordinate the team, guide the work and track progress.

1

Keep a bid library

Tip

A bid library saves you time on every tender.

Keep it up to date. After each tender, someone spends an hour updating the library.

Update the contents as information changes. This includes CVs, equipment registers, insurances and the org chart.

2

Assign owners, and make sure they understand their role

Tip

At a minimum, someone should “own” each of the following:

  • The master document version. Every edit must end up in the master copy.
  • The solution. Someone owns the detail of what's on offer. They check in with the commercial owner regularly.
  • The commercials, including pricing. Don't develop this in isolation. Work closely with the solution owner from the start. If you leave it too late, you may find the price is too high on the final day.
3

Use the right tools

Tip

Don't try to write a tender on an iPad. You need a big screen, a fast computer and a proper desk setup.

Have a backup internet connection and good software. At a minimum, you'll need:

  • MS Word or other word-processing software
  • Acrobat Pro or similar (such as smallpdf.com)
  • A snipping tool
Back Back to guide