Business Plans
There are different versions of a business plan depending on the intended use. For an initial discussion an Executive version of 10-25 pages may well suffice. For later discussions with potential investors it could be much larger and include assumptions, risks and financial projections. One key internal value is that it outlines a roadmap for all stakeholders.
Business plans can support capital or fund raising; establishing strategic direction; bring visibility to risks and opportunities; Enable accountability through monitoring and Reporting; Improvements to operational efficiency; Planning and management
Since the environment changes, the business plan should be a dynamic document that adapts to changes within the business and the market.
Developing a business plan begins with gaining an understanding of the business model or concept, objectives and strategy. The first step is to gather, document, and establish concurrence from the executive perspectives. In this phase the process leads to a roadmap once there is clarity and concurrence on the executive vision, market and its potential, and goals.
The final plan usually includes and Executive Summary; a detailed description of the business, market analysis; organizational structure; product or service lines; marketing and sales strategies, financial projection, risk assessment and operational models.
Depending on the complexity and size of the business this can generally take between 3 to 8 weeks. The key drivers on how long the process takes are management and data availability.