What information needs to be in your business plan? What is the order of information that will make the most sense to lenders and investors? You can answer these questions with the business plan outlines provided below.
What are the standard elements of a business plan? If you do need a standard business plan to seek funding — as opposed to a plan-as-you-go approach for running your business, which I describe below — there are predictable contents of a standard business plan outline.
For example, a business plan normally starts with an Executive Summary, which should be concise and interesting. People almost always expect to see sections covering the Company, the Market, the Product, the Management Team, Strategy, Implementation, and Financial Analysis. The precise business plan format can vary.
Is the order important? If you have the main components, the order doesn’t matter that much, but here’s the sequence I suggest for a business plan. I have provided two outlines, one simple and the other more detailed.
Simple business plan outline
- Executive Summary: Write this last. It’s just a page or two of highlights.
- Company Description: Legal establishment, history, start-up plans, etc.
- Product or Service: Describe what you’re selling. Focus on customer benefits.
- Market Analysis: You need to know your market, customer needs, where they are, how to reach them, etc.
- Strategy and Implementation: Be specific. Include management responsibilities with dates and budgets. Make sure you can track results.
- Web Plan Summary: For e-commerce, include discussion of website, development costs, operations, sales and marketing strategies.
- Management Team: Describe the organization and the key management team members.
- Financial Analysis: Make sure to include at the very least your projected Profit and Loss and Cash Flow tables.
Build your plan, then organize it. I don’t recommend developing the plan in the same order you present it as a finished document. For example, although the Executive Summary obviously comes as the first section of a business plan, I recommend writing it after everything else is done. It will appear first, but you write it last.
Standard tables and charts
There are also some business tables and charts that are normally expected in a standard business plan.
Cash flow is the single most important numerical analysis in a plan, and should never be missing. Most plans will also have Sales Forecast and Profit and Loss statements. I believe they should also have separate Personnel listings, projected Balance Sheet, projected Business Ratios, and Market Analysis tables.
I also believe that every plan should include bar charts and pie charts to illustrate the numbers.
Expanded business plan outline
Here’s an expanded full business plan outline, with details you might want to include in your own business plan.
1.0 Executive Summary
1.1 Objectives
1.2 Mission
1.3 Keys to Success
2.0 Company Summary
2.1 Company Ownership
2.2 Company History (for ongoing companies) or Start-up Plan (for new companies)
2.3 Company Locations and Facilities
3.0 Products and Services
3.1 Product and Service Description
3.2 Competitive Comparison
3.3 Sales Literature
3.4 Sourcing and Fulfillment
3.5 Technology
3.6 Future Products and Services
4.0 Market Analysis Summary
4.1 Market Segmentation
4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy
4.2.1 Market Needs
4.2.2 Market Trends
4.2.3 Market Growth
4.3 Industry Analysis
4.3.1 Industry Participants
4.3.2 Distribution Patterns
4.3.3 Competition and Buying Patterns
4.3.4 Main Competitors
5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary
5.1 Strategy Pyramids
5.2 Value Proposition
5.3 Competitive Edge
5.4 Marketing Strategy
5.4.1 Positioning Statements
5.4.2 Pricing Strategy
5.4.3 Promotion Strategy
5.4.4 Distribution Patterns
5.4.5 Marketing Programs
5.5 Sales Strategy
5.5.1 Sales Forecast
5.5.2 Sales Programs
5.6 Strategic Alliances
5.7 Milestones
6.0 Web Plan Summary
6.1 Website Marketing Strategy
6.2 Development Requirements
7.0 Management Summary
7.1 Organizational Structure
7.2 Management Team
7.3 Management Team Gaps
7.4 Personnel Plan
8.0 Financial Plan
8.1 Important Assumptions
8.2 Key Financial Indicators
8.3 Break-even Analysis
8.4 Projected Profit and Loss
8.5 Projected Cash Flow
8.6 Projected Balance Sheet
8.7 Business Ratios
8.8 Long-term Plan
Business plan outline advice
Size your business plan to fit your business. Remember that your business plan should be only as big as what you need to run your business. While everybody should have planning to help run a business, not everyone needs to develop a complete formal business plan suitable for submitting to a potential investor, or bank, or venture contest. So don’t include outline points just because they are on a big list somewhere, or on this list, unless you’re developing a standard business plan that you’ll be showing to somebody else who expects a standard business plan.
Consider plan-as-you-go business planning. I’ve done a lot of work on this idea lately, resulting in my new “Plan As You Go” business planning, which is a now a book published by Entrepreneur Press, available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Borders, and bundled as an eBook with Business Plan Pro. I’ve also added a short video here to the right, illustrating how the outline could be simpler with a new approach.
More business planning resources
Sometimes an outline just isn’t enough to write your business plan. Do you want to view sample business plans from real businesses? Would seeing a business plan template that banks prefer be useful to you? These valuable resources can help:
Sample business plans – Over 500 free sample business plans from various industries
Business plan template – This fill-in-the-blank business plan template is in the format preferred by the SBA and banks
Start a business – An easy to follow six-step process for starting a new business
Business Plan Pro – My company’s step-by-step software makes it fast and easy to create a business plan, regardless of your business planning experience
{ 18 trackbacks }
{ 187 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
thanks…the info was really beneficial for me…
HI.I AM VERY INTERSTED ABOUT ISSUE OF SETTING UP BUSINESS PAN.DONT LET PEOPLE KNOWN WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVED BUT LET PEOPLE SEE WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED BECUSE THESE PEOPLE MAY BE DIFFICUTIES ON YOUR WAY.
I need a business plan for a simple laundry shop can anyone help me thanks in advance.guide me.. mail to me sekar680@yahoo.com
I really want to run a restaurant for my own. However i am afraid to run it in a bad situation of Global Crisis. Few of people are eating outside so my plan must be delay. What I want to say to everyone is that, i have do research for some source from many websites but the best website i have met is this website.It is a very good website that i can get lots of informations for preparing myself for my business, restaurant.
It is amazing the this website is free…
Therefore is there is someone one to give me some advide for running a restaunrant please contact me through email: kanchana_male@yahoo.com
Thank
i would like to start up a business on broiler production,because i do not have sufficient funds to start it,i am required to provide a business plan in order to be assisted with finance,can you please send me a logical way to write a business plan,what comes first and what comes last?
awesome im doing a competition with school and this really helped because ive been assigned with the job of writing a business plan! im 13!
I have what I think is an encredibley great business
idea. I am 45 years old and live in a fairly large town where there happens to be nothing of the sort of my business plan, although, everyone agrees it is a great idea. My problem is I’m disabled and don’t even have an idea of how i can get financial funding and people to help get it going to build, and, I just don’t always have the energy to stay on top of the idea, by myself.
Thanks God… Finally I ve got it..
I m a business student, I had communication paper tommorrow. I was looking for it.
It is an appropriate one…
I am starting a basketball training and development LLC for youth. I have fantastic ideas! I’m interested in any suggestions on writing a business plan. I’ve looked at sample business plans, but have been unsuccessful in finding one that puts me in the right direction. Your suggestions are certainly welcomed. Thanks in advance.
i always thought till now that good things in life are never “free!” well, this plan outline is and its great & complete. thX guys.
hello i want to start my own mobile hot dog vending and i would like to corporate the business give me some suggestions please
Good day
I am 65 years old and embarking on a venture to help and aid destitute people by passing on all my knowledge and talent to manufacture and market leather goods. I have been doing this as a hobby for 40 years.
I am to hopefully get a grant from the local municipality.I will ofcourse need to offer them a business plan and this site is my redeemer.Thank you for this it is greatlt appreciated.
fred i`m still a student at the university 3rd year management, university name, kigali lay adventist university[ Rwand] i request if possible to me a well composed business plan. i look forward for your positive response, i thank you very much
I have been trying to view th templates of some business plan but to no avail. Could you please mail me the template of employment agency and that of driving school?
Very helpful business plans. This will help me to develop my personal business plan soon. I will be using this site for reference. Congratulations
I need to know how to start a business plan for restaurant? the above simple business plan is really helpful and giuded me. but i think there one more thing is missing and i do not know what is it. i need to start my own business. any supports?
Hello,
I’m writing this letter to ask how how am I going to start up a hair abd beauty solan. I’m a student and my instructer told me to make abusiness plan. My question is can you help me or show me how to do business plan?
Hello,
I’m writing this letter to ask how how am I going to start up a hair and beauty solan. I’m a student and my instructer told me to make abusiness plan. My question is can you help me or show me how to do business plan?
how do i get funding when i have a good business plan ….just from scratch
how do i get funding if i have a good business plan?
I need samples of a Health and Wellness bussiness plan that will be simple and use- frindly.
Thanking you in advance
I would like to recieve any information plan on starting a record label/company. I read many “Learn How To” articles but I simply cannot find the best way for me. Every experience is not the same experience, with saying that if you would have a plan for that sort of topic. Please email me thank you.
Hi i have always drrweamed of starting a retail shop could you please send to me a plan sample that i can use as an insight
I have Been asked to present a business plan for a newly acquired Oil and gas Aviation handling company .We are Into ATK or Jet A-1 Storage ,handling and Dispensing into Airline customer aircraft .in a highly competetive market .Any hints on how to start to finish the plan?
Hi.
I wanna make simple business plan for training centre,in field of education..
help me .
gor.sargsyan@yahoo.com
thanks
Hi
I’m 25 i need to start y own business.I want to make a show room for spare parts,can i get a help on making a plan for it….?suppotr please.
Hi,
Kindly furnish me with the business plans for the following:
a)DVD Movie selling outfit.
b)Mineral water company
c)Transport business
d)Real estate.
Thanks.
i’m 23yrs old this yr. i want to start my own business. i know i will coz everything start from ur mind, if u sure & believe that it will happen and act then it will. what impossable with a man it possable with God. he will make a way 4 m.
I have a travel and entertainment travel agency and I just made it an LLC.
I need information on business plans for a travel agency. I would also like some information about attracting investors and franchise oppoutunities.
It is my desire to start an import/export company. I am interested in exporting refrigeration parts and equipment. In addition to this I would also consider food products. I would like to have a sample business plan for this type of business
i am working on project of establishing new university in pakistan. any body can help me in making business plan
Hi, ive got a project that needs me to come up with a business plan for schoolwork. I like the suggestions but i need something more practical in an African situation.
thanks alot for the information, making a business plan is part of my project so i have to do a really good job on it. this was really helpful, thanks.
I need a bussiness plan for building offices{Multi Purpose Community Centre} whereby you would find all goverment department.
My stand is 2394m2 big and its near Charls Mopedi Stadium in Qwaqwa.
Hi
I would like to start my own cleaning company and would appreciate a little help as to how to write a business plan .
I want to start a transportation business (starting with one truck) . Please assist me the business plan for this business and knowledge on how to operate this business.
I need samples of a Health and Wellness bussiness plan that will be simple and use- frindly.
Thanking you in advance
I am B.B.A Student I want to do retail business in india can any body help me out plz?
I feel and was told that I needed to start a well needed business in my town , Assisting the Elderly and Disabled in their homes. (NON MEDICAL) companionship, Light house cleaning ,light cooking, etc. I have est. 20 years exp. How do I get started? And where do I get the funds? I Have A Lot Of Tender Loving Care To Give!
hi!
i m faisal… i want to start a resort business… that’s why i need a sample of resort business plan which can help me…. please help…
thank you…
IM IN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A BUSINESS PLAN FOR AN INNOVATIVE IDEA. THERE ARE TWO 24 HR GYMS NEAR WHERE I LIVE. IVE ACQUIRED A SUITE IN A PLAZA ACROSS FROM ONE. IM DEVELOPING A BUSINESS PLAN. I WANT TO SELL SLUSHIES AND NATURAL DRINKS ESSENTIAL TO A POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE WORKOUT. I WOULD LIKE ADVICE ON PRODUCTS AND AIDE TOWARDS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MY NEW GOAL
I am on funeral parlor business, i need funds to get the business fully operational.Financial Institute are asking for business plan,will you please help with a templates of the plan (Funeral parlour)
I dont have a website but I think you are perfect,but I would like to know how to write a good bussiness plan for a trucking company that I am planning to start up can you help me out with some advise on how I should go about doing so thank you
Hello,
I am currently disabled, but eager to enter the work force and once again put 100% of my heart into pushing myself everyday to be more and more successful with a career. I, along with 29 year old son have a terrific business idea. For two years now we have been researching within our community the idea of our idea to get a feel for what kind of success can be achieved in our field, and the outcome has been more overwhelming then we were hoping for. Being that I am disabled, certain provisions will have to be met, and without question, I have found by talking to other businesses that there would be no way another business would provide what is needed to employ me due to cost and liability reasons. That is the number one reason for wanting to have my own business. And with my son having the same interests and talents, he will be a major asset in the organization and building of our business idea. I am a hard worker and in my past career, I moved up the ladder of promotion very fast. I want to once again be one to contribute to our system, and do what I can to help others in employment when possible. I would like to send to you an outline of our business idea, even down to the finer researched questions that may be asked. Our geographical location and climate is perfect for our business idea, and there is nothing offered for over 100 miles that is similar to our idea.
If you can please help me with any answers or direction to help me in this quest we would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your time in reading my e-mail.
Regards,
Keith Orr
I would like to know how to research area specific statistics.
eg: average age, family size, household pets, # vehicles etc… as a part of my business plan. Any one with info on tracking this sort of info please respond
Please I need an annual buisness strategy in order to manage a high end ladies shoes store.
Your support is highly appreciated.
Regards.
We are specialists in business plans, market plans and business financial planning. These products are available on request. Please send your requests to the address above and you will get someone to assist you.
Regards,
Biz
hi…………
first i would like 2 tank bcz i have a one business competition in business plan “before i enter into d website i don’t know wat s Business plan now i saw more information about tat its very helpful 2 me …….
i’m about to start a broiler and layers breeding, i want you to help me to prepare abusiness plan so that i may sothat i may source fund from my co-operative society.
I still longing for your response in regard of my business plan for my poultry farm establishment. Regards felix
← Previous Comments