Establishing your business plan will take some time but it is not a science. It involves collecting information, analysing it and then answering in writing the important questions. This Guide will show you how to elaborate step-by-step a structured business plan document.
Step 1: Business Idea & Market Research
You will have to gather important information about the "need" for your intended services and products, the size and characteristics of your potential target group (clients and members) and the resources and funds needed to offer these services and products.
Step 2: Market Analysis
Now, you will have to analyse and interpret the information you gathered. This involves doing some basic calculations and summaries. The outcome of this step will be tables and documents summarising facts about your potential target group and its needs. You will also have estimated the resources need and established some financial forecasts out of that
Step 3: Creating the Business Plan Document
Having prepared the information to answer the vital questions, you will now elaborate step-by-step the business plan. This involves mainly defining your organisation's vision, mission and objectives, describing the organisation & management set-up and defining the organisation's products & services, people and marketing plans, finance plans and time plan.
Please see below an overview of the business planning process
(Source: Department of Trade and Industry, United Kingdom)