Effective business planning can be the key to your success. A business plan can help you secure finance, prioritise your efforts and evaluate opportunities.

It may initially seem like a lot of work; however a well prepared business plan can save you time and money in the long run.

Free business plan template

You can download our business plan template and guide to writing a business plan to assist you to complete your plan.

What should a business plan include?

There are no rules about what your plan should cover or the level of detail. In general, plans need to include information regarding:

  • business profile
  • vision, mission and goals
  • market research
  • operational strategy
  • products and/or services
  • marketing plan
  • financial strategy.

Before starting your business plan

You may want to consider the following key questions to help determine if you are ready to start writing your business plan.

  • Have you thoroughly refined your business idea so you have a good understanding of how your business will operate?
  • Have you researched your business concept to determine if there is a need for it in the marketplace?
  • Have you completed a feasibility study to determine expected level of success?
  • Do you have the money required to start and grow the business?
  • Are you prepared to invest significant time into the business to get it up and running?

How often should I review my business plan?

Business planning is an ongoing activity. Review plans regularly and update whenever your circumstances change.

Useful resources

Business plan template

Having a well prepared business plan before starting your business can help you refine your idea, gain a deeper understanding of your market and have a clear direction for your business.

Guide to using the business plan template

This guide will walk you through the process of completing a business plan and is designed to be used alongside our business plan template.

Business plan on a page template

Use our simplified one page business plan to help you explore the viability of a business or side hustle to get your initial thoughts on paper before you complete a full business plan.
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