How to Write a Business Plan

A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success. This living, breathing document generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to reach, maintain and grow revenues. A well thought out plan also helps you to step-back and think objectively about the key elements of your business venture and informs your decision-making.

The following guides offer tips that will help you research and develop a winning plan.

Essential Elements of a Good Business Plan
What are the key elements of a business plan? From market analysis to your company financials, this guide walks you through the essential components of your plan, including how to develop a funding request.

How to Make Your Business Plan Stand Out

One of the first steps in the business planning process is determining who your target market is and why they would want to buy from you. Is the market you serve the best one for your product or service? Are your business benefits clear and aligned with the needs of your target customers? This guide can help.
Guide For Writing a Business Plan

What goes into a business plan? This guide will assist you as you write your plan.
Additional Resources

Learn more about the importance of business planning, the components of a business plan, and access sample plans in this self-paced online training course: How to Prepare a Business Plan.

SBA has developed several podcasts that discuss the fundamentals of starting a business including Creating a Business Plan and Making Your Business Plan Work for You.