Enter your proposal details
Example data table
Use this format to track outcomes over time.
| Date | Target | Outcome | Follow‑ups | Quality index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-04 | Marketing Analyst | Accepted | 3 | 82 | Added portfolio link and quantified impact. |
| 2026-01-10 | UX Researcher | Rejected | 1 | 68 | Weak fit; adjusted positioning afterward. |
| 2026-01-18 | Project Coordinator | Pending | 2 | 74 | Waiting on budget confirmation. |
| 2026-01-25 | Sales Associate | Accepted | 2 | 79 | Clear timeline and strong proof points. |
Formula used
- Win rate (all) = Accepted ÷ Submitted × 100
- Close rate = Accepted ÷ (Accepted + Rejected) × 100
- Response rate = (Accepted + Rejected) ÷ Submitted × 100
- Pending rate = Pending ÷ Submitted × 100
- Quality index = weighted clarity, fit, proof, pricing, timing (0–100)
- Adjusted success estimate = Win rate × Quality scale × Follow‑up factor × Revision factor
- 30‑day expected wins = (Submitted ÷ Period days × 30) × Adjusted success estimate
The adjusted estimate is a planning aid, not a guarantee. Keep inputs consistent so trends stay meaningful.
How to use this calculator
- Enter submissions, wins, losses, and pending for a recent period.
- Set the period length so pacing and projections are accurate.
- Score quality factors honestly using your latest proposal style.
- Add follow‑ups and revisions as averages, not best cases.
- Review win rate, close rate, and the adjusted success estimate.
- Apply suggested actions, then re‑measure after two weeks.
Why proposal success rate matters
A proposal success rate converts scattered outreach into a measurable career pipeline. Tracking submitted, accepted, rejected, and pending proposals shows whether your approach is working and how quickly decisions arrive. Use the win rate to judge outcomes, the close rate to assess performance on decided opportunities, and the response rate to detect silent drop offs. When rates shift, you can identify which stage needs attention.
Reading the core rates with context
High win rate with low response rate usually means a small but qualified set is converting, while many submissions remain unaddressed. A strong response rate with low close rate suggests positioning issues after review, such as unclear scope or weak evidence. Pending rate highlights process friction. If pending stays high, tighten timelines, ask for a decision date, and provide a concise next step to reduce uncertainty.
Using quality factors to improve outcomes
The quality index turns qualitative effort into a structured score. Clarity measures structure, specificity, and the strength of your call to action. Fit measures alignment to the role or client need. Proof captures metrics, portfolio examples, and credibility signals. Pricing and scope reflects realism and outcomes. Timing reflects responsiveness to active cycles. Raising the index should lift the adjusted success estimate over time.
Forecasting wins and managing workload
Monthly projections are built from your pace in the selected period. If you submit twenty proposals in thirty days, your expected submissions for the next month are similar unless you change volume. The adjusted success estimate scales that pace by quality, follow ups, and revision friction. Use projections to set weekly goals, plan outreach blocks, and schedule follow up tasks without overcommitting.
Turning results into a repeatable playbook
Create a simple log for each proposal version, target, and follow up count. Review results every two weeks and compare the same period length each time. Keep one improvement focus, such as clearer proof or better role fit, and measure its impact on close rate. When performance stabilizes, standardize templates and checklists so the process scales across different opportunities. Share the scorecard with a mentor to spot blind spots and refine your positioning faster today consistently.
FAQs
What is the difference between win rate and close rate?
Win rate uses all submitted proposals. Close rate uses only decided proposals, excluding pending. Close rate is better for comparing quality when many items are still awaiting responses.
Why does my adjusted success estimate differ from win rate?
Adjusted success combines your historical win rate with quality, follow ups, and revision friction. It helps planning by reflecting behaviors you can change, not only past outcomes.
How many follow ups should I enter?
Enter your average meaningful follow ups per proposal. Two is a common baseline. Focus on adding value each time, such as a brief result, sample, or clarification.
What if my accepted plus rejected plus pending exceeds submitted?
The calculator will automatically set submitted to the larger total. This prevents invalid percentages and keeps rates consistent when your tracking categories are more complete than your submission count.
How often should I recalculate?
Recalculate every two weeks or after a meaningful batch, such as ten proposals. Consistent intervals make trends clearer and reduce noise from one unusually good or bad week.
Can I use this for internal promotions or grants?
Yes. Treat applications, promotion packets, or grant submissions as proposals. Track outcomes the same way, score quality factors honestly, and use the action tips to improve future submissions.