# A vendor decision with the evidence attached.

Reviewed: 2026-09-09

Canonical: https://clankercloud.ai/templates/vendor-comparison

Use this starter to compare proposals against the same criteria and record the source for each claim. The result should show missing terms and tradeoffs before offering a recommendation.

## What you are working toward

A source-backed comparison table and a short decision brief.

## Start with

- The actual proposals or selected source files

- Your evaluation criteria and non-negotiable requirements

- The audience who will review the decision

## Choose comparable criteria

Copy the prompt into a Session and add the proposal files to its Project. Replace the sample criteria with the requirements your decision maker actually uses. Mark requirements that are mandatory instead of silently weighting them all equally.

The fictional sample demonstrates the expected treatment of a missing term. It is not evidence about a real company or a recommendation for an actual purchase.

## Review the table before the conclusion

Check source locations and make sure both options were judged against the same requirements. If a proposal uses a range or an assumption, keep that qualification in the table.

Ask the Agent to explain what could reverse its recommendation. Save the brief with the proposal versions used, then update the comparison when new terms arrive. A generated comparison supports your review; it does not authorize outreach or a purchasing decision.

## Try this prompt

Copy into a Workspace Session. Opening Workspace does not send it automatically.

```text
Compare the proposals I provide using scope, delivery timing, support, and unresolved terms. Make a table with the source file and section for every material claim. Mark missing information as Not stated. Give a provisional recommendation and say what new information could change it. Do not contact vendors or approve a purchase. Save the table and brief in this Project.

Optional fictional sample: Cedar proposal says a six-week rollout and weekday support. Harbor proposal says a four-week rollout but does not state support hours. Our requirement is a rollout within six weeks and confirmed weekday support.
```

## Illustrative result

Fictional sample; your result depends on your inputs and needs review.

```text
Fictional sample decision
Cedar: meets the stated rollout and support requirements.
Harbor: faster stated rollout; support coverage is not stated.
Provisional fit: Cedar, subject to checking the full proposal.
Next question: Ask for Harbor’s support terms before treating it as equivalent.
```

## Before using the result

- Every claim points to a supplied source.

- Missing terms are visible instead of scored as zero.

- The recommendation names its assumptions.

- No vendor contact or purchase was initiated.

## Common questions

### What can I bring into a Project?

Upload documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and presentations, or attach files and paste images in a Session. Add Project instructions to explain the audience, preferred format, and facts the Agent should use.

[Read more in the FAQ](https://clankercloud.ai/faq#source-files)

### How do I reuse research and useful answers?

Keep quick references in Bookmarks. Save lasting knowledge in Archive → Wiki, open articles to follow their source links, and keep related files and instructions in a Project. Check cited sources before relying on a research result.

[Read more in the FAQ](https://clankercloud.ai/faq#knowledge)

## Sources

- [Workspace guide: proposal comparison example](https://workspace.clankercloud.ai/#page=faq&tab=articles&article=first-useful-session)

## Related

- [Compare your sources. Make a clearer decision.](https://clankercloud.ai/learn/research-with-project-files)

- [One familiar job. Your own specialist.](https://clankercloud.ai/learn/build-a-custom-agent)

- [Clanker Workspace or ChatGPT Projects?](https://clankercloud.ai/compare/clanker-workspace-vs-chatgpt-projects)

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