How to Write an Effective Mobile App RFP

What is a mobile app RFP?

A mobile app Request For Proposal (RFP) is a process of finding the solution to a problem. The problem here is your objective for a mobile app. The solution is the mobile app and the RFP is a tool to find the right solution.

Creating a mobile app RFP helps the organization and vendor understand each other better. It also ensures transparency and accountability. Moreover, it encourages organizations to follow procedures and create benchmarks to measure the project’s success.

What should you include in a mobile app RFP?

Follow a standard protocol while writing a mobile app RFP. This makes it easy for both the enterprise and the mobile app development company. The basic format for any mobile RFP remains the same. For easy understanding of the RFP, we have divided it into 3 structures.

Now that we know what a mobile app RFP is, let us see its basic structure-

1. First Part of the mobile app RFP

The first part of the mobile app RFP is the introduction of the enterprise and mobile app. It offers a broad overview of the mobile app.

The first structure is short and to the point. It gives a gist of the mobile app objective in tandem with the business goals of the enterprise.

2. Better rankings on the App Store

This is fully dedicated to the mobile app development project. It is about the mobile app, its features, and the services to be provided by the company.

The middle structure in a mobile app RFP is a detailed description of the mobile app project. This mentions the expectations of the enterprise regarding the mobile app.

3. Last part of the mobile app RFP

The last part of the Request For Proposal is omitted by small businesses. But large enterprises follow certain procedures when requesting proposals from mobile app development companies. The last part mentions the submission guidelines for the mobile app development proposal.

The last part of the conclusion sets the tone for the proposal to be sent by the mobile app development companies.

How to write RFP for mobile app development?

Now that we know the basic structure of a mobile app RFP, let’s get into writing the RFP for mobile app development.

Whether it is the website design RFP or the mobile app RFP, the basic structure of the RFP remains the same. Only the objectives and features change.

Executive summary of the company

It is time for a brief introduction of your enterprise to the mobile app development companies. Before starting with the mobile app, give a short introduction of your enterprise so that the RFP receiver knows for what business vertical they need to design the mobile app.

RFP Objectives

The next step is introducing the objective of the mobile app structured around your business goals. The mobile app RFP should mention why you need the mobile app and what objectives you expect to meet through the app. This gives an idea to the vendors about your mobile app’s necessity and feasibility.

General services to be provided by the mobile app development company

When developing the mobile app for the enterprise, it expects some services from the mobile app development company other than design, development, and deployment. These services are explicitly mentioned in the general services section. It may include pre-launch testing, post-launch support, technical training for the staff regarding the mobile app, training documentation, app documentation, and other key services.

Desired features & technology in the mobile app

What does an enterprise expect from the mobile app? What are its features and functions? What are the technologies to be used? Is it for Android or iOS or both ? ? The desired features section answers all these questions.

The feature and the functionality listing are best mentioned in bullet point style. Make headings and subheadings for easy reading. Write short descriptions for each feature or function. Study similar apps in the market. This gives you ample ideas on the features to be integrated into your mobile.

Also, this section will specifically mention the support types needed by the mobile app development company and what the enterprise expects from them like suggestions for additional features, mentioning of setting up & recurrent costs, and so on.

Project price

If you have a budget in mind, mention it in this section. The mobile app development companies offer proposals based on the budget. They mention the features that can be incorporated into the budget. This will give you an idea of how much extra you may need to spend to implement certain other features.

Project timeline

The enterprise mentions the timelines for the mobile app project completion. It can specify the exact date of the month. It can also divide and schedule the timeline like the pre-launch date, testing dates, final launch date, etc.

Proposal submission logistics

The proposal submission logistics will first specify the proposal evaluation procedure. This will help build trust between the stakeholders and make the contract selection terms transparent and clear. The proposal submission deadline and the address or the email id where the proposals are to be sent are mentioned in the last.

Proposal requirements

The enterprise lists the requirements needed in the proposal like the cost estimate, references of previous similar projects, details of mobile app features, description of the mobile app development company, etc.

Proposal conditions

This is the legal terms section. It will have the conditions like the non-disclosure clause , limitations, and the authority clause for the proposal selection.

What are the key points when writing a mobile app RFP?

A mobile app RFP will vary for different organizations depending on the needs and goals. But the basic structure remains the same. Your RFP should be well-crafted and clear enough to evoke a response from the vendor. A well-written mobile app RFP reflects the background, professionalism, and experience of your organization.

1. The executive summary should be brief and concise

The summary gives the mobile app development company a gist of what your company is about and what you expect from the mobile app. It answers the question “Why do we need a mobile app?” Keep it at this. A detailed explanation will proceed later.

2. Be specific when writing the company details

Your company may have many subsidiaries. Your company might have achieved innumerable successes. But what matters to the RFP receiver is what they could achieve for your company by designing a mobile app.

3. Let the project summary have your viewpoint

The mobile app development company that receives the Request For Proposal needs to understand why you need the mobile app and what you expect it to solve. It is their prerogative if they will be able to achieve it or not. The project summary has to be from your viewpoint and not theirs.

4. Make points of what you expect from the mobile app

List a set of points of what you expect the mobile app to do for you. It would be better if you attempt explaining it through a workflow. Visual representations are more powerful than words. Making a list explains the things better than writing them in paragraph form.

5. Involve stakeholders when mentioning the mobile app functionalities

Your team is not just the sales team or the production team. Involve every person in your enterprise to give you suggestions about what they expect from the mobile app. You will be surprised by the results.

6. Do not include technical details if you are a novice

Many-a-times, enterprises do not know the technical details like the mobile app developmentframeworks or the database integrations to be used. Do not Google for it online and just fill it in the RFP. There is a lot more than reading it online and understanding its practical use case. The mobile development company knows it better and they will suggest it to you.

7. Be specific about the budget

If you have a budget in mind, be clear about it. But the budget should not be your limit. Mention it clearly that you are open to suggestions. This will encourage mobile app development companies to explain why the budget is not feasible or what you can expect in this budget.

8. Mention the project deadline clearly

You may want to time your mobile app going live with any new business launch. You may have a specific date in mind for the completion of your mobile application. Specify an early date when you expect the final mobile app to go live on the Play Store/ App Store. Mentioning an early date gives you time for trouble-shooting and making sure that your app is ready for the exact launch date.

9. Give a timeline for the proposal to be submitted

Every mobile app RFP mentions the last date for receiving the mobile app development proposal. Keep in mind the time you may require to evaluate the mobile app RFP from various companies. Hence, be specific about the last date for mobile app development companies to submit their proposal.

10. Specify your proposal requirements

A mobile app RFP is not only about the request for proposal, it is also about what an enterprise expects in the mobile app development proposal. Mention the requirements, terms, and conditions to be followed by the mobile app development companies while submitting the proposal.

What are the benefits of a Mobile App Request For Proposal?

There are many benefits of the Request For Proposal in mobile app development. The mobile app RFP is critical to your search and selection of the best mobile app development company. It gets you what you need.

Imagine getting a mobile app that becomes a turning point for your online business. A Request For a Proposal is the first step to get there.

Wrap up on RFP for mobile app development

Writing RFP for mobile app development is not a complex or unimportant process that can be sidelined. It is a way of selecting the best mobile app development company to build your mobile app.

When you have a chance to get the best, why not go for it?