The previous content (Tips For A Business Plan – Part 1) defined and showed the relevancy of a Business Plan. But how will we build the plan. The Business Plan needs to show the worth and importance of a proposal, detail how the task will be accomplished, and include tasks, i.e., a migration, purchasing new equipment, or hiring consultants. Most importantly, it will also specify time and expenses and the benefits and risks involved.
At the start of the Business Plan
- Denote only the important ‘must have’ items to prove and validate a point.
- Create an outline and be sure to include key elements, e.g., the vision, resources, issues, marketing, and of course financing.
- Specify your timelines and critical points.
- Plan to break up the Business Plan into categories such as Introduction, Summary, Business description (Operations), Strategy and Risks, Recommendations, Research, Marketing plan, Problems and Resolution, Resources, Finance (Support), Costs, Benefits, and Time
Overview
- Create an introduction to the plan and be specific.
- Describe the purpose and reason (justification) behind this project, and its goals.
Summary
- Explain the circumstances that led to this new project.
- Provide a sentence or two on the business goals, funding, technology, or the intended audience of, e.g., a new product.
- Display an applicable prototype or describe it to show that the outcome is doable.
Structure
- The Business Plan is usually written using a logical format. Organize it first by presenting a brief introduction to the plan.
- Present it in a form for those who will make the decision to authorize it. Write for your audience and provide an outline.
- Use simple terms to describe the plan. If the document is of considerable length, indicate what sections should be read by which party.
- If a plan is complicated or includes a lot of scenarios, then the Technical Writer should develop business cases to help with explanations. The writer can also create training sessions with demonstrations or instruction videos. Content in some form, however, should still be written to reinforce what was presented.
- When there is too much information to present, break it down into charts, figures, and diagrams for easier understanding and analysis, and to also assist in explanations. For example, for a business process, create the business diagram and then break it down into logical detailed explanations or functionalities.
- Maintain continuity in explanations and format. If continuity within the content is not clear, then misunderstandings and wrong interpretations (with detrimental or chaotic outcomes) can occur within the organizations environment (business, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, etc.).
- To maintain the Business Plan continuity provide supporting material backing up your information and work on Identifying, assessing, and analysis of the plan.
- Provide guidelines and policies needed to maintain the plan.
For a Successful Business Plan
- Analyze it to ensure that all the necessary content has been included.
- Ensure that it is feasible and compliant within any restrictions.
- Always stay informed of any updates or changes within your organization or environment.
- Get it reviewed by others.
- Get it authorized if need be.
- Get the plan tested.
If you have other suggestions of what a Business Plan should contain, please leave a comment. Thank you
Gail Zack Anderson, President of Applause, Inc., has nearly 20 years experience in training and coaching. She
provides individual presentation coaching, and leads effective presentation workshops and effective trainer workshops.
Theresa Pojuner is a Documentation Specialist with over 20 years of writing experience and is skilled in many areas of documentation, for example, Style Guides, Training Manuals and Test Cases, wth a specialty n Technical Writing and Procedures.