The four main parts of a business plan are:
- Executive summary
- Market analysis
- Description of the company and operations
- Financial plan
Details and common subcomponents
- Executive summary
- A concise overview of the business, its mission, products or services, target market, and the key value proposition.
- Highlights of the business model, financial snapshot, and short-term goals.
- Often written last, but appears at the front of the plan.
- Market analysis
- Industry overview, target market, customer segments, and buying behavior.
- Competitive landscape: strengths, weaknesses, market positions, and differentiators.
- Market needs, trends, barriers to entry, and regulatory factors.
- Description of the company and operations
- Company background, legal structure, location, and ownership.
- Product or service description, development stage, and unique selling points.
- Operations plan: supply chain, production methods, facilities, technology, and key processes.
- Organization and management: leadership team, roles, and personnel plan.
- Financial plan
- Revenue model, pricing, and sales strategy.
- Detailed financial projections: income statement, cash flow, and balance sheet forecasts.
- Funding requirements, use of funds, and break-even analysis.
- Key financial assumptions and risk assessment.
Optional but common sections
- Marketing and sales strategy
- SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
- Milestones and implementation timeline
- Appendix with supporting documents (resumes, diagrams, contracts)
If you’d like, I can tailor these sections to your specific business idea, industry, and audience (investors, lenders, or internal planning), and provide a basic template you can fill in.
