Frequently Asked Questions

Q: "How do I handle multiple outlines?"

OutLiner enables you to create as many different outlines as you need. Simply selected the "Add Proposal" from the Add menu or use one of the Wizards (Duplicate Wizard or Outline Wizard) to create a new outline.

Q: "Can I change the report formats?"

Use your Word Processor's style sheets to change the styles provided by AnalyZer or OutLiner reports. The capability to change fonts and other formatting styles may be available in future releases. Please send us an e-mail with any suggestions for the next versions.

Q: "How can I see a summary of the requirements allocated to the outline?"

Use the "Requirements Checklist" report and select the particular Volume you want. Only the requirements allocated in that volume will be shown in this report.

Q: "Why do you sell AnalyZer alone, but not OutLiner?"

AnalyZer has many uses as a means to analyze all kinds of requirements and operates in a stand alone mode very well. OutLiner's main focus is to take the requirements extracted and analyzed in OutLiner and allocate them to an outline. You can use a word processor to create an outline, but OutLiner provides traceability to the RFP requirements, in the form of the Requirements Allocated Outline, Compliance Matrix and other proposal planning reports. You may want to have different people analyze different sections of a large RFP and then merge them together for the outline development. Merge functions are available in both AnalyZer and OutLiner.

Q: "What do I do when I have a big RFP?"

Break the RFP into pieces, such as the Proposal Preparation Instructions (Section L in Federal Government RFPs), Evaluation Criteria (Section M), and Statement of Work (Section C or an attachment). You will find that the document will load much more quickly.


Q: "How do you handle amendments?"

There are two ways of handling amendments: 1) treat them like a new RFP document; 2) copy changes from the amended RFP into the description fields of the Requirements Inspector and then press the change button. The first way works best if there are massive changes. In fact you probably will want to reanalyze the amendment in that case anyway. The second way works best when the changes are minor or few. This second way has the advantage that any allocations that have been made will remain.

Q: "When am I finished analyzing requirements?"

When you can easily derive the outline and are ready to allocate the requirements, you've probably can stop the analysis, however we've found that analysis continues until the proposal is submitted (if not long after). You should always question decisions made early in the process, the more reason to capture them as issues, so you can remember why you made that decision when you're in the middle of a late night, last minute production session.

Q: What is SPEC Software's Return Policy?

We will gladly return your unopened software within 10 days of purchase.