Five Common Capability Statement Mistakes to Avoid

In the competitive world of government procurement, a well-crafted capability statement can help open doors to lucrative contracts and partnerships. Increasingly, procurement officers are including a mandatory requirement that a Capability Statement be included with your final proposal during the RFP process 

Mistake: Too-Long Capability Statements

Don’t try to include too much information. The Capability Statement should be one page, or two at the very most. 

Solution: Focus on Key Points: Keep your capability statement concise and laser-focused. Highlight core competencies, past performance, and unique selling points using clear and straightforward language. 

Mistake: Neglecting Proofreading

Typos, grammatical mistakes, and formatting blunders can hurt your credibility and may hurt you more than they help. 

Solution: Thorough Proofreading, Preferably via Third Party: Before finalizing your capability statement, make sure to proofread it twice. Meticulously.  It is always a good idea to get a second and even a third “set of eyes” to help. Enlisting the services of a professional proofreading firm will guarantee accuracy and may even result in hints to strengthen your overall document. (Hint: Sounding Line can act as your second set of eyes.)

Mistake: Overlooking Graphic Design in Capability Statements

Your capability statement shouldn’t be a text-heavy listing of credentials. It is more important than ever to produce a visually appealing, easy-to read Capability Statement to serve as your calling card. The reality is, people DO judge a book by its cover.

Solution: Invest in Professional Design: Consider investing in professional graphic design for your capability statement. A polished and visually appealing document conveys professionalism and competence.

Mistake: Forgetting Regular Updates

Your organization is consistently acquiring new clients, new experiences and new knowledge. Forgetting to update the Capability Statement with your newest information is a rookie mistake. 

Solution: Regularly Review and Update: Creating a Capability Statement in an easy-to-use tool like Google Docs or Canva.com makes it easy to review and update your Capability statement every single time you submit a proposal. Ensure you are accurately representing your current offerings and business solutions. 

Mistake: Forgetting the Human Element

It can be difficult to build an emotional connection in one page, but failing to infuse a humane touch can make your organization appear distant and, even worse, not capable of working well with others.

Solution: Tell a Story: Don’t just talk about what you do, but highlight how your products and services help others.  Highlight the human side of your organization. Introduce key team members, share success stories, and express your commitment to building meaningful relationships. 

Crafting a professional capability statement involves more than just highlighting key bullet points —it’s about creating a resource that speaks to your audience, celebrates your successes and opens doors to opportunities. By avoiding these common mistakes, your capability statement will serve as a powerful tool in your organization’s growth and success.