Business plan template

Organize your business goals, strategies, and financial plans in one place. A business plan template helps you think through your business idea and track progress as you build your company.

Starting a business or growing an existing one requires thinking through many different aspects - your market, products, finances, operations, and goals. Without a clear plan, it's hard to make decisions or know if you're on track. A business plan template helps you organize all these pieces so you can see how everything fits together and what needs to happen next.

What is a business plan template?

A business plan template is a tool that helps you structure your business planning in one organized place. It guides you through thinking about your business idea, market opportunity, products or services, operations, marketing, and finances. The template gives you sections to fill in for each part of your business plan, making it easier to think through your ideas and communicate them to others.

Using a template means you don't have to figure out what to include from scratch. It prompts you to think about important aspects you might otherwise forget, and gives you a framework to organize your thoughts and research.

Why do you need a business plan template?

Running a business without a clear plan makes it hard to make good decisions or track whether you're reaching your goals. A business plan template helps you organize your thinking and planning. Here's what it does:

Goal setting helps you define what you want to achieve and when
Market analysis guides you to research your customers, competitors, and market opportunity
Financial planning helps you think through costs, revenue, and financial projections
Operational planning makes you consider how you'll actually run your business day to day
Marketing strategy helps you plan how you'll reach and attract customers
Documentation creates a written record of your plans that you can reference and update
Communication makes it easier to share your business idea with partners, investors, or advisors
Progress tracking lets you check back on your plan to see how you're doing
Decision making gives you a reference point when you need to make choices about your business
Flexibility lets you update your plan as you learn more and your business evolves

Without a template, business planning often stays in your head, making it hard to think through all the pieces systematically or share your plans with others.

A static template is a good starting point, but using a project management tool like Breeze makes business planning more collaborative and actionable. With Breeze, you can work on your plan with partners or advisors in real time, track progress on business goals as you achieve them, organize related documents and research in one place, set up recurring reviews to keep your plan updated, and share read-only access with investors or stakeholders. Instead of a static document, you get a living business plan that evolves with your company.

What goes into a business plan template?

A business plan template should include sections for organizing all the different aspects of your business planning. Here's what typically goes into it:

Executive summary - write a brief overview of your business, what you do, and your goals
Business description - describe your business idea, what makes it unique, and what problems you solve
Market analysis - research and document your target market, customer needs, and competitive landscape
Products or services - detail what you're offering, how it works, and why customers will choose you
Marketing strategy - plan how you'll reach customers and promote your business
Operations plan - outline how you'll run your business, from location to processes to team
Financial plan - estimate costs, revenue, and financial projections for the coming months or years
Goals and milestones - set specific goals you want to achieve and when you expect to reach them
Review regularly - revisit your plan periodically to update it as your business grows and changes
Use for decision making - reference your plan when making choices to see if they align with your goals

Don't worry about making it perfect the first time. Start with what you know, and fill in more details as you learn more about your business and market. The template is a starting point that you can update and refine over time.

Frequently asked questions about business plan templates

What sections should be in a business plan template?

A typical business plan template includes sections for executive summary, business description, market analysis, products or services, marketing and sales strategy, operations plan, management team, and financial planning. You might also want sections for competitive analysis, customer segments, pricing strategy, and future goals. The exact sections depend on your business type and what you're using the plan for.

How long should a business plan be?

Business plans can vary in length depending on your needs. A simple one-page plan might work for early-stage planning or internal use. A more detailed plan for investors might be 10 to 30 pages with comprehensive information about each section. For most small businesses starting out, a plan that's a few pages covering the key areas is usually sufficient. Focus on being clear and complete rather than making it longer than necessary.

Do I need a business plan if I'm already running a business?

Yes, even if you're already running a business, a business plan can be helpful. It helps you think through growth opportunities, set goals, plan major changes, secure financing, or refocus your strategy. Many business owners find that writing down their plans helps them see opportunities and challenges more clearly, even when they already know their business well.

How often should I update my business plan?

You should review and update your business plan at least once a year, or whenever something significant changes. Major changes might include launching new products, entering new markets, significant growth or challenges, or changes in your market or competition. Regular reviews help you keep your plan current and make sure your goals and strategies still make sense for where your business is now.

Can I use a business plan template for a nonprofit or side business?

Yes, you can adapt a business plan template for nonprofits or side businesses. For nonprofits, you might adjust the financial section to focus on funding sources and budget rather than profit, and emphasize mission and impact. For side businesses, you might focus on part-time operations, limited resources, and how it fits with other commitments. The core structure still works, you'll just customize the details to match your specific situation.