ChatGPT can definitely be helpful when writing tenders – for translations, draft texts, and idea development. But it requires using the tool correctly and understanding its limitations.

🔁 Translations – better than Google Translate
ChatGPT is excellent for translations. I use it both for my English-speaking clients and when bidding in countries where we don’t speak the language – for example, in the Baltics. I’ve integrated ChatGPT into my IT system, so translations happen automatically, e.g., when sending emails or before uploading to procurement portals.

However, Chat still cannot translate PDF or Excel files and return them in the same format. My IT system therefore reads the text, sends it to Chat, and delivers a Word document with the translation. It’s not perfect, but in practice it works quite well.

📝 Text Writing – fast and versatile, but...
When you feed ChatGPT with relevant questions, topics, or requirements, it can quickly generate a well-formulated draft. It sometimes even highlights angles and aspects you may have missed – which is extremely valuable in the early phase.

But... ChatGPT’s texts are inherently generic. And in public tenders, where you are awarded points for how specifically you will solve the task, generic answers aren’t enough – and can even result in zero points. Chat doesn’t know your company and can’t describe your specific approach, experience, or resources. That’s something you must do yourself – and with a consultant on board, you often get texts that are phrased to achieve the highest possible score.

📐 Use Chat properly – as a sparring partner, not a writer
I often use Chat to help with the structure and outline of responses, as input for a first draft, or as an “editor” to sharpen and improve readability. But be careful: ChatGPT may unintentionally water down the content or remove important details in an attempt to simplify the text.

📏 Character and page limits – this is where ChatGPT shines
In tenders with strict page or character limits, Chat is a strong helper. It can shorten texts and formulate key points clearly and concisely. But again: Make sure that no important information is lost in the process.

🔧 Ready for more – but I miss precise data
Since I already have ChatGPT integrated into my IT system, it makes sense to use it for even more tasks. My biggest challenge, however, is that I often need precise data – and that’s where Chat falls short, because its answers are based on general knowledge rather than factual and exact information.

Do you have ideas on how ChatGPT could be used more effectively in tender work? I’d love to hear from you!