What is an App Proposal?

An app proposal is a clear, enticing and well-defined document that provides a convincing statement to persuade clients to avail your mobile app and software services and/or initiate the creation and development of a specific mobile app design or software application. It is composed of the app development project summary, company profile, app project scope requirements, budget, project timeline, and other essential aspects. As a practical project management tool, it helps business owners, project managers, app development managers, software developers, mobile app specialists, and other professionals in the mobile app design field and software development industry  to create and innovate fascinating and powerful mobile applications and software services. 

There is a noteworthy change in consumer behavior worldwide which has contrived most of the business firms and organizations across all verticals to re-evaluate their business models since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people observed how fundamental digital transformation has become. Based on several statistical reports, the total hours spent watching video streaming apps grew 32% worldwide since pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, 92.5% of time spent on a mobile phone is spent using mobile apps while 7.5% of mobile time is spent using web browsers. These reports show that there has been a continuous and substantial increase of the number of app downloads, mobile users, and mobile devices worldwide since the pandemic until now. There will also be a 30% increase of mobile and software app growth every year. 

Thus, if you are currently developing a certain mobile app or software service for the brand, business, project or product of a certain company or organization, the first thing you need to do is prepare a compelling app project proposal. Doing this will help inform your prospects that you have an edge in your field and convince your potential clients to avail and use your mobile app and software services.

Different Types of App Projects

It is critical for mobile app developers and software engineers to consider adapting business models to match key audiences’ behavior and preference because of the continued increase in dependence of the mobile users on their mobile devices. Your business needs to be able to clearly communicate with your target audience based on their preference, especially of a large majority of your audience mobile-first or mobile-only. In this part, learn and understand some types of app projects that exist in various fields and industries.  However, there are different app projects around us in diverse aspects of fields and industries. Below are different types of app projects:

1. Time Management App Project

Do you want to create an app that can help your users in efficiently organizing and planning on dividing their time between different activities in their personal and professional life? Some examples of time management applications are Friday, Todoist, Any.do, Google Calendar, Things 3, Notion, Habitica and Proofhub. Friday is an online and mobile-friendly app which allows department teams to see meetings and tasks in one place while using some tools and widgets that you already use so that you can easily customize your view, and better allocate your time, helping you to concentrate on the most essential tasks. Notion is one of the exceptional-looking workspaces to organize your tasks, schedule, create notes, project plans, business presentations, organized docs, and more into one online planner. This type of app project aims in helping users to become productive in their activities and designate a proper amount of time, as well as to be able to monitor and track their progress in completing their tasks and projects.

2. Video Streaming App Project

Grand View Research published a market research report that the global streaming market was worth $42.6 billion in 2019 and it is anticipated to grow more than 20% per year and reach a total of $184.3 billion by 2027. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people are trying out streaming services. Some examples of popular video streaming apps are YouTube, Disney+, Tencent Video, Netflix, and iQiYi. Several studies have shown that online video streaming is becoming increasingly famous as we are given access to a colossal amount of data which can be utilized in quantifying the accelerating trends in video streaming industries. This type of app project is very on-demand nowadays as millions or even billions of people worldwide consider using video streaming apps and services because of the ease of use, variety or availability of diverse contents, streaming quality, and speed of menu selection and content loading. Plus, many experts say that streaming is the future so venturing in this type of app project is very worthwhile. 

3. E-book or E-Reader App Project

An e-book or e-reader application is a type of software app which allows users to download and view wide-ranging electronic books and publications on their desktop, or laptop computer, as well as their own smartphones. Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo Books, PocketBook Reader, and Naver’s Webtoon are some examples of e-book or e-reader apps. Kindle app is an e-book app used by readers to read Amazon books, as well as anything from your library. While using this app, you can easily modify the color, font, text, size, line spacing, and other attributes, and you can also mark up and annotate text passages. Webtoon is a Korean digital comic platform and webtoon service with over 6.2 million daily users. It publishes original comic content from various creators.

4. Tracking App Project

FamiSafe Location Tracking, Life360, Glympse, Find my Friends, Google Maps, GPS Phone Tracker and Google Family Link are some examples of tracking apps. Life360 is a tracking app used every day by more than 33 million members across 195 countries to help them in protecting and connecting their loved ones at home, on the road, and on the go. It aims in providing safety and protection to each family member with the use of advanced driving, digital, and location safety features. This type of app project helps mobile app developers to create apps that can guarantee the safety of the users and allow them to monitor their locations accurately.

Basic Components of an App Proposal 

In this section, you will learn how to craft a proficiently-written app project proposal so that you are able to catch the attention of your prospective clients and stakeholders. However, a proposal has different components. Include the following elements for you to create an impressive document:

Title: One of the basic elements of a mobile app and software project proposal is the title. It is an eye-catching and thought-provoking line of the document which highlights the main topic, or subject of the mobile app and software project, as well as to entice the interest of the client to check the proposal thoroughly. It is typically set in a size larger than other remaining text elements in the page.Mobile App and Software Solution Overview: Who will be involved in the app project? What product management, project management, communication and development tools will be utilized? What will the key features be? What platforms will the mobile app and software solution be developed for? Provide a cohesive summary of the resource you are planning to use to meet your app project requirements. Executive Summary or App Project Scope: Provide comments and concerns about the project scope. Define the main goals, objectives, user needs, and preferences for the proposed app and software. .App Development Project Timeline: Construct a clear timeline of your activities, and methods based on their time period of the pre-production, production and post-production stages of your mobile app and software project. Include the day, allotted hours, and overall date. Use some graphs, tables, and other visual diagrams to demonstrate the status and performance of the app development project. Conciseness and Precision: Highlight the key details when it comes to your mobile app and software development project. Write concisely and precisely with the inclusion of both short words and short sentences. Keep it as brief and specific as possible. Avoid the use of ambiguous words that are irrelevant to your proposal.

How to Create an App Proposal 

One of the most important skills that a software developer can possess in mobile app development is the continuous rise of mobile apps and devices around us. Clarity, conciseness, and great impression are the major elements that you need to apply in your app proposal document. Because of the intense competition in the mobile app and software industries, you need to be clear and consistent when conveying your message to your  target audience. Keep your message short yet sophisticated. You may also tell a story to captivate the interest of your audience. An app project proposal can effectively outline the key dimensions and elements of your app project. In this matter, we suggest that you follow the simple steps below while freely using one of our sample app project proposal templates in this article:

Step 1: Define Clear Goals, and Objectives

Research and understand the needs and preferences of your target users and proposal readers so that you are able to define clear goals and objectives for your proposed app project.  Think carefully about the things you and your target users or prospective clients prioritize in the project, as well as the vision in accomplishing the app project goals and objectives. In this way, you and your mobile app and software development project team can guide your clients to know what kind of app you will be doing and why you will work on that particular app project.

Step 2: Write a Compelling App Overview or Background

Your app project proposal should include a simple yet compelling overview or background of your app project. Elaborate your ideas through an appealing story while telling your readers the goals, objectives, and desired outcomes of your app project. Consider your clients and users when you outline the app project schedule, budget, resources and status.

Step 3: Include the Company Information and App Project Summary

Why does your mobile app and software development team exist? What specific problem are you trying to solve? What type of mobile app products and software services does the company provide? What industry and market(s) does it operate in? Who is the internal app development project lead(s)? Who are the major stakeholders/leadership? Include a high-level overview of your company as you showcase how your company works, your core values and many others. For the project summary, define the mobile app and software product, the target users of the app, and the significance of the app project. 

Step 4: Set the App Project Timeline and Budget

Ask your clients and stakeholders, as well as target users the app project requirements, specifically their needs and preferences. Then, calculate the financial budget of the app development project that you need in order to start the development and implementation of the app or software. 

Step 5: Highlight the App Project’s Significant Value

Emphasize the significant value of your app project and why it is special than other app and software projects. Reiterate the part on how your mobile app and software development firm and your proposed app and software development project will immensely influence your clients, target users,  and others while supporting their needs and preferences with the fulfillment of your app project. 

Step 6: Prepare the Final Draft

Combine all the major points while preparing the final draft of your app project proposal. Attach any supporting documents for the app and software project. Schedule a meeting with the members of your mobile app and software management team and/or the prospective client or company/organization who will receive your app project proposal. Then, proofread and revise your document so that you can submit your app project proposal in an organized way.

FAQs

What are the main stages of the app development process?

The main stages of app development are idea generation, sketching, market research, app wireframe, platform choice, graphic design, coding and programming development, app testing, beta version user testing  and final app launch.

How long does it take to develop an app?

When developing a mobile app, it usually takes 3 to 4 months. The mobile app and software should be ready for public release. Within this timeframe, it does not include the product definition or design stages of building a mobile application.

What are the main components of a mobile app and software development project proposal?

The main components of a mobile app and software development project proposal are executive summary, company profile, app development project summary, problem summary, goal and success criteria, functionality, use cases examples, stakeholders, app project scope requirements (services, backend, push notifications, analytics and platforms), budget, project timeline, pricing model, and maintenance and support plan.

What are some examples of app project proposals?

Some examples of app project proposals are time management app project proposal, mobile app development and enhancement proposal, mobile app development partner proposal, calendar app proposal, mid-term app proposal, mobile and tablet app proposal, mobile app proposal, e-reader app project proposal, patient app proposal, job search app proposal, mobile app technical proposal, tracking app proposal, and many more.

A 2022 statistical report stated that of the total smartphone time spent using apps, 43% of time is spent on social and communication apps, 25.4% on photo and video apps, 7.7% on gaming apps, 3.1% on entertainment apps, and 20.8% on other categories. So, writing a clear and striking app project proposal is a powerful tool to entice and inform your clients and readers about the mobile app and software project and its overall development and process. We suggest that you follow the aforementioned tips and steps here so that you are able to craft an exceptionally-written app project proposal. Plus, download our sample app project proposal templates here today including time management app project proposal, mobile app development and enhancement proposal, mobile app development partner proposal, calendar app proposal, mid-term app proposal, mobile and tablet app proposal, and other app project proposal templates, and more!