BUSINESS PLAN Review

The final business plan is written in paragraph format. Here is an example that you can take with you when you are a manager and are asked to write a business plan. Rarely do I see managers that have a good format for a business plan.

1. Abstract (This needs to be on a separate page. The abstract is what senior administration will review to determine which business plans they want to read and which they will toss – so be persuasive.)

a. Tells the story in one paragraph after you complete your plan.

b. Be persuasive and make sure you comment on the cost/benefit to the organization.

c. Ask for what you want. – both funding and approval for the project.

2. Introduction (Be sure to use Headings so senior administration can easily find the area they are interested in without having to read the entire plan.)

a. Note the Organization, department and your position. (Be sure to write in third person)

i. Do not include the entire mission, vision, and values because senior administration is well aware of all three.

ii. Only explain how your plan is aligned with the organization’s mission, vision and values.

b. State Purpose for the Business Plan.

c. State the Strategic Initiative that your plan will support.

d. Set the stage for the business plan.

3. Include for this paper the SWOT analysis in diagram format.

4. Action Plan –

a. Brief Description of your project, not the organization. Tell about your project.

b. History and/or rationale for the project – Why is it important? What led up to your decision to make this change?

c. Industry Trends – (Good area for research. Senior administration likes to see Research)

i. Are others doing the same thing?

ii. Who is doing it and how successful are they?

iii. Administrators like to see examples of success.

d. Market Analysis (From your SWOT analysis and the Stakeholder Analysis)

i. Competition if applicable

ii. Product or Service if applicable

e. Goals and outcomes – (Here is where the detail needs to be as far as who will do what by when.)

i. What are the goals and objectives of your request?

ii. What will this accomplish?

f. Structure – where does it fit in the organization?

i. Chain of command - are you a line or support department?

ii. Alliances and contractual relatiionships

g. Financial Analysis –

i. At a minimum show costs and revenues generated.

ii. If it is equipment show the breakeven point.

iii. You can show the projection of additional revenue if appropriate.

iv. This is one of the most important areas for administration. Be specific.

h. Personnel/staffing that will be needed. Be sure to include in the costs under financial analysis. If appropriate.

i. Implementation plan or schedule – how long will it take to implement?

i. Be specific as to what will be done when.

ii. Identify resources needed and competencies used and how they align with strategic initiative.

j. Evaluation criteria and monitoring process – what does success look like? How will you measure to see if the project is successful? (review the Balanced Scorecard.) This is an area that senior administration will want.

5. Conclusion –

a. No new ideas

b. Be persuasive and be sure to comment again on the cost/benefit to the organization.

c. Again, close by asking for what you want - both funding and approval of your project.

6. References – make sure all references are cited in the paper.

7. Attachments if needed.

Keep it simple. I am more interested in the content than the number of pages.