RBDM is sometimes referred to as RPDM meaning Rapid Proposal Development Methodology

What is RBDM?

The rapid bid development methodology uses the same principles as the IT industry’s rapid application development methodology (RAD).

The theory behind RBDM is that in some circumstances a viable bid can be produced that satisfies 80% of the client’s requirements in 20% of the time it takes to develop a complete bid.

It is important to bear in mind that RBDM is not appropriate for prescribed form tender responses, as it does not adequately address the notion of compliance.

The Common Problem Addressed by RBDM

With conventional bid methodologies there can be a long delay before the client gets to see the proposal. In some cases the production of a complete bid can take so long that the clients business needs have changed. RBDM seeks to ensure the clients interest is maintained and that risks of the circumstances surrounding the opportunity have not changed.

Why use RBDM?

The principle reason for using RBDM is the desire to avoid the forces of change, which can frequently reduce a supplier’s competitive advantage. Balancing a quick bid response time against the quality of the proposal is a better option than producing a proposal extremely quickly but of low quality.

Key RBDM Success Factors

The success of a proposal produced using the RBDM is dependant upon the following:

• High calibre teams skilled in the bid techniques

• The client’s willingness to trade off between time and quality

• The client’s acceptance of general, rather than specific deliverables

• Authority for the bid team to make that would normally be referred to the client.

RBDM works best in circumstances where the solution is stand-alone and does not rely upon bleeding edge technologies.

Dealing with Dinosaurs

A dinosaur is individual who looks for reasons for not doing things. Conversely an innovator looks for reason for doing things. Dinosaurs exist in both the public and private sectors. Generally the 3D rule applies, that being “Don’t Deal with Dinosaurs (D-D-D) Every organisation must decide upon their own dinosaur policy, but in the long run BD resources devoted to dinosaur taming are lost forever.

When you encounter a dinosaur you must decide whether or not you wish to go around them or spend time trying to tame them.

Going Around the Dinosaur

If you conclude that your only viable option is to go around a dinosaur, bear in mind that contacting a dinosaur’s manager or colleague could result in ill feeling at many levels. Accordingly you need to factor in the risk alienating the client organisation.

Taming the Dinosaur

Taming a dinosaur can be time consuming and/or very costly. You should give careful consideration to whether or not the long-term payoff is worth the effort.