When preparing to send your section authors and subject matter experts off to begin their respective writing tasks, check and ensure the following:

•  Whether a seasoned bid writer or a newbie, check that each has planned out his or her sections out before embarking on each section.

• That each has adhered to the plan you overviewed with him or her for the content of his or her section.

• That each has checked his or her “facts”.

• That each has substantiated any claim he or she has made.

• That each has made his or her first paragraph – as the “introduction” to their piece – strong and punchy, and that this “intro” paragraph provides a compelling entry point to the rest of his or her section.

• That each has drawn out the project-specific or contract-specific relevance and meaning of anything they have written. They should be aiming to do as much of the evaluators’ thinking for them, as possible.

• That each has communicated the benefits associated with the features of the technology or service (not just the features).

As you conduct these initial and progressive checks, assemble for yourself a helicopter view as to how consistently and seamlessly the various sections fit together (or not), and whether they are all in the same degree of alignment with the overarching bid strategy guidance document.