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How to Write a Business Plan Page Contents How to Write a Business Plan - Worksheet To get some inspiration (and smiles) about planning issues, have a look at some quotations and examples of bad planning & advice !

1. How to Write a Business Plan

How to write a business plan - only address matters of real substance and major significance. Feel free to change the suggested structure below to suit your project and its state of development. If writing an outline plan, allow between a half and two pages per section.

The structure below could be readily expanded to become a 'full-blown' business plan by expanding the level of detail given. Ideal page lengths for a straightforward but comprehensive plan are given in parenthesis. Note the importance of marketing and sales in terms of the suggested number of pages. When writing a business plan, relegate detail to accompanying appendices. Bear in mind that most investors, bankers etc. dislike having to read overlong business plans just as much as entrepreneurs and managers dislike writing the plans in the first instance!

Note that a freeware 36-page business plan guide and template (Word format) incorporating this worksheet structure is available here.

1. Introduction (1)

Introduce the plan. Explain who wrote it, when and for what purpose. Give contact details.

2. Summary (1-3)

Write last.

3. Mission, Strategies etc. (1-2)

What are the central purposes and activities of the planned business? What are its SWOTs? What are its major objectives, key strategies and prime goals ?

4. Present Status of Project (1-3)

Summarize achievements and performance (financial, sales, technical etc.) to date. Introduce the stakeholders in the business.

5. Product/Service Description (1-2)

Keep descriptions short and confine them to broad groups. Explain briefly what makes them special.

6. Profile of Target Market(s) (2-3)

Size, segments, trends, competition and user/customer profiles.

7. Marketing Strategies & Sales Plans (2-3)

How will the business market its products/services and sell to customers? What sales will be achieved in its main markets? How will it deal with competitors ? Indicate costs.

8. R&D and Technology (0-2)

If relevant, explain progress, plans, resources and highlight any technological advances.

9. Manufacturing/Operational Plans (2-3)

Cover distribution & service activities and/or manufacturing. Highlight major elements only. Indicate organization, resources, costings etc.

10. Management (1-2)

Introduce the proposed management team, structure etc. Indicate overhead costs.

11. Financial Position & Projections (2-3)

Use simple tables to present key financial projections e.g. summary P&L, cashflows, balance sheets and key ratios. Place the detailed analyses in appendices. (For more information, download a shareware version of our financial planners - Exl-Plan (for Excel) - and review their annual output reports and Textual Summary Reports or use our free On-Line Financial Planner to produce 'first-cut' five-year projections for your business.)

12. Funding Requirements & Proposals (2-3)

If applicable, summarize funding requirements, possible sources, likely terms, and, for investors, the projected return on their investment. Be realistic!!

13. Implementation (1-3)

Explain the major decision points, time scale and actions required by management and others to progress the plan.

14. Conclusion (1)

Indicate why the business will succeed and why it should be supported.

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