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Business Plan Template for Small Businesses

Business planning can feel complicated. it doesn't have to be. start putting pen to paper today with your free business plan template download..

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Why you need a business plan

Writing a business plan can seem like a big task, especially if you’re starting a business for the first time and don’t have a financial background. After all, business plans have changed over the years, and what lenders and investors expect now is different than it was even just 10 years ago.

What hasn’t changed is that writing a business plan will help you:

• Develop a strategy for success
• Reduce the risk of starting a business
• Explore new business ideas
• Attract investors and get funding

Learn more about how you can get value out of your business plan .

What is included in this business plan template?

This template includes definitions, guidance, and examples for every business plan component needed to start, fund, and grow your business.

After downloading the full template, you’ll receive instructions on how to fill out each of the following sections.

Executive summary

The brief summary of your business plan introduces everyone to your business, the problem you solve, and what you’re asking from your readers. It’s the first chapter of your business plan and the last thing you write once you have the details from your full plan.

Problem & solution

More than a simple description of your products and services – here you define the problem you’re solving and the value you provide. It’s also your chance to showcase any initial traction that shows you’re on the right track.

Market analysis and target market

A detailed assessment of the market you intend to enter, including the size and value of the market, potential customer segments, and their buying patterns.

Competition

Show that you know who your competitors are, what advantages you have, and how you’re positioning your business to be competitive.

Marketing & sales

Describe how you’ll reach and sell to potential customers with a detailed sales plan and chosen marketing channels.

What makes your business run? Outline the day-to-day workflows and what needs to be set up for your business to deliver a product or service.

Milestones & metrics

Set goals for your business that include the dates and people responsible for accomplishing them. This is what you’ll use to manage responsibilities, track growth, and execute your larger strategy.

Company overview and team

Provide a brief rundown of the legal and structural components of your company, including your history, current team, and gaps you need to fill.

Financial plan

Create well-structured and accurate financial statements to help you pitch to investors, land funding, and achieve long-term success. All without the help of a financial advisor or a degree in accounting.

While not required, this last section of your business plan is a great place to drop in additional documents that support and strengthen the rest of your plan.

How do you write a simple business plan?

If you’re exploring a business idea and don’t plan to pursue funding, then you actually don’t need to write a traditional business plan. Instead, opt for a one-page plan , which is far easier to create but just as effective.

To write a simple one-page business plan, follow the same core sections as a traditional plan. But instead of lengthy paragraphs and multiple pages covering each area of your business, stick with single sentences and bulleted lists.

If a one-page plan sounds like a better option, download our free simple business plan template to get started.

Start your business plan today

Whether you're writing a business plan to validate your business idea, secure funding, or grow your existing business – our template will help you achieve your goals.

Business plan template FAQ

What file formats are available for this business plan template?

You can download and use this business plan template as a Google Doc, .docx (Microsoft Word), or PDF.

Can you print out this template?

This is a printable business plan template that can be downloaded and printed no matter which format you choose.

Why should you start with a business plan template?

Starting with a good business plan template (like this one) includes everything you need to get started. It helps you organize your thoughts, and provides guidance, instructions, and examples to create an investor-ready and SBA-approved business plan format. It really speeds up the planning process. Oh, and it's 100% free!

Is writing a business plan easy?

Using a business plan template can make writing a business plan easier. Additionally, if you focus on just getting your information down quickly, with the expectation that you'll revisit and revise your plan, you can speed up and simplify the process .

Can someone write your business plan for you?

If you're still struggling to write your business plan even when using a template, you can look into hiring a professional business plan writer. We even have a free resource to help you ask just the right questions  to make sure you find the right plan writer.

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10 Free Business Plan Templates in Word, Excel, & ClickUp

Praburam Srinivasan

Growth Marketing Manager

February 13, 2024

Turning your vision into a clear and coherent business plan can be confusing and tough. 

Hours of brainstorming and facing an intimidating blank page can raise more questions than answers. Are you covering everything? What should go where? How do you keep each section thorough but brief?

If these questions have kept you up at night and slowed your progress, know you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together the top 10 business plan templates in Word, Excel, and ClickUp—to provide answers, clarity, and a structured framework to work with. This way, you’re sure to capture all the relevant information without wasting time. 

And the best part? Business planning becomes a little less “ugh!” and a lot more “aha!” 🤩

What is a Business Plan Template?

What makes a good business plan template, 1. clickup business plan template, 2. clickup sales plan template, 3. clickup business development action plan template, 4. clickup business roadmap template, 5. clickup business continuity plan template, 6. clickup lean business plan template, 7. clickup small business action plan template, 8. clickup strategic business roadmap template , 9. microsoft word business plan template by microsoft, 10. excel business plan template by vertex42.

A business plan template is a structured framework for entrepreneurs and business executives who want to create business plans. It comes with pre-arranged sections and headings that cover key elements like the executive summary , business overview, target customers, unique value proposition, marketing plans, and financial statements.  

A good business plan template helps with thorough planning, clear documentation, and practical implementation. Here’s what to look for:

• Comprehensive structure: A good template comes with all the relevant sections to outline a business strategy, such as executive summary, market research and analysis, and financial projections 
• Clarity and guidance: A good template is easy to follow. It has brief instructions or prompts for each section, guiding you to think deeply about your business and ensuring you don’t skip important details
• Clean design: Aesthetics matter. Choose a template that’s not just functional but also professionally designed. This ensures your plan is presentable to stakeholders, partners, and potential investors
• Flexibility : Your template should easily accommodate changes without hassle, like adding or removing sections, changing content and style, and rearranging parts 🛠️ 

While a template provides the structure, it’s the information you feed it that brings it to life. These pointers will help you pick a template that aligns with your business needs and clearly showcases your vision.

10 Business Plan Templates to Use in 2024

Preparing for business success in 2024 (and beyond) requires a comprehensive and organized business plan. We’ve handpicked the best templates to help you guide your team, attract investors, and secure funding. Let’s check them out.

If you’re looking to replace a traditional business plan document, then ClickUp’s Business Plan Template is for you!

This one-page business plan template, designed in ClickUp Docs , is neatly broken down into the following sections:

• Company description : Overview, mission, vision, and team
• Market analysis : Problem, solution, target market, competition, and competitive advantage
• Sales and marketing strategy : Products/services and marketing channels
• Operational plan : Location and facilities, equipment and tools, manpower, and financial forecasts
• Milestones and metrics: Targets and KPIs

Customize the template with your company logo and contact details, and easily navigate to different sections using the collapsible table of contents. The mini prompts under each section guide you on what to include—with suggestions on how to present the data (e.g., bullet lists, pictures, charts, and tables). 

You can share the document with anyone via URL and collaborate in real time. And when the business plan is ready, you have the option to print it or export it to PDF, HTML, or Markdown.

But that’s not all. This template is equipped with basic and enterprise project management features to streamline the business plan creation process . The Topics List view has a list of all the different sections and subsections of the template and allows you to assign it to a team member, set a due date, and attach relevant documents and references.

Switch from List to Board view to track and update task statuses according to the following: To Do, In Progress, Needs Revision, and Complete. 

This template is a comprehensive toolkit for documenting the different sections of your business plan and streamlining the creation process to ensure it’s completed on time. 🗓️

If you’re looking for a tool to kickstart or update your sales plan, ClickUp’s Sales Plan Template has got you covered. This sales plan template features a project summary list with tasks to help you craft a comprehensive and effective sales strategy. Some of these tasks include:

• Determine sales objectives and goals
• Draft positioning statement
• Perform competitive analysis
• Draft ideal customer persona
• Create a lead generation strategy

Assign each task to a specific individual or team, set priority levels , and add due dates. Specify what section of the sales plan each task belongs to (e.g., executive summary, revenue goals, team structure, etc.), deliverable type (such as document, task, or meeting), and approval state (like pending, needs revisions, and approved).

And in ClickUp style, you can switch to multiple views: List for a list of all tasks, Board for visual task management, Timeline for an overview of task durations, and Gantt to get a view of task dependencies. 

This simple business plan template is perfect for any type of business looking to create a winning sales strategy while clarifying team roles and keeping tasks organized. ✨

Thinking about scaling your business’s reach and operations but unsure where or how to start? It can be overwhelming, no doubt—you need a clear vision, measurable goals, and an actionable plan that every member of your team can rally behind. 

Thankfully, ClickUp’s Business Development Action Plan Template is designed to use automations to simplify this process so every step toward your business growth is clear, trackable, and actionable.

Start by assessing your current situation and deciding on your main growth goal. Are you aiming to increase revenue, tap into new markets, or introduce new products or services? With ClickUp Whiteboards or Docs, brainstorm and collaborate with your team on this decision.

Set and track your short- and long-term growth goals with ClickUp’s Goals , break them down into smaller targets, and assign these targets to team members, complete with due dates. Add these targets to a new ClickUp Dashboard to track real-time progress and celebrate small wins. 🎉

Whether you’re a startup or small business owner looking to hit your next major milestone or an established business exploring new avenues, this template keeps your team aligned, engaged, and informed every step of the way.

ClickUp’s Business Roadmap Template is your go-to for mapping out major strategies and initiatives in areas like revenue growth, brand awareness, community engagement, and customer satisfaction. 

Use the List view to populate tasks under each initiative. With Custom Fields, you can capture which business category (e.g., Product, Operations, Sales & Marketing, etc.) tasks fall under and which quarter they’re slated for. You can also link to relevant documents and resources and evaluate tasks by effort and impact to ensure the most critical tasks get the attention they deserve. 👀

Depending on your focus, this template provides different views to show just what you need. For example, the All Initiatives per Quarter view lets you focus on what’s ahead by seeing tasks that need completion within a specific quarter. This ensures timely execution and helps in aligning resources effectively for the short term.

This template is ideal for business executives and management teams who need to coordinate multiple short- and long-term initiatives and business strategies.

In business, unexpected threats to operations can arise at any moment. Whether it’s economic turbulence, a global health crisis, or supply chain interruptions, every company needs to be ready. ClickUp’s Business Continuity Plan Template lets you prepare proactively for these unforeseen challenges.

The template organizes tasks into three main categories:

• Priorities: Tasks that need immediate attention
• Continuity coverage: Tasks that must continue despite challenges
• Guiding principles: Resources and protocols to ensure smooth operations

The Board view makes it easy to visualize all the tasks under each of these categories. And the Priorities List sorts tasks by those that are overdue, the upcoming ones, and then the ones due later.

In times of uncertainty, being prepared is your best strategy. This template helps your business not just survive but thrive in challenging situations, keeping your customers, employees, and investors satisfied. 🤝

Looking to execute your business plan the “lean” way? Use ClickUp’s Lean Business Plan Template . It’s designed to help you optimize resource usage and cut unnecessary steps—giving you better results with less effort.

In the Plan Summary List view, list all the tasks that need to get done. Add specific details like who’s doing each task, when it’s due, and which part of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) it falls under. The By Priority view sorts this list based on priorities like Urgent, High, Normal, and Low. This makes it easy to spot the most important tasks and tackle them first.

Additionally, the Board view gives you an overview of task progression from start to finish. And the BMC view rearranges these tasks based on the various BMC components. 

Each task can further be broken down into subtasks and multiple checklists to ensure all related action items are executed. ✔️

This template is an invaluable resource for startups and large enterprises looking to maximize process efficiencies and results in a streamlined and cost-effective way.

The Small Business Action Plan Template by ClickUp is tailor-made for small businesses looking to transform their business ideas and goals into actionable steps and, eventually, into reality. 

It provides a simple and organized framework for creating, assigning, prioritizing, and tracking tasks. And in effect, it ensures that goals are not just set but achieved. Through the native dashboard and goal-setting features, you can monitor task progress and how they move you closer to achieving your goals.

Thanks to ClickUp’s robust communication features like chat, comments, and @mentions, it’s easy to get every team member on the same page and quickly address questions or concerns.

Use this action plan template to hit your business goals by streamlining your internal processes and aligning team efforts.

For larger businesses and scaling enterprises, getting different departments to work together toward a big goal can be challenging. The ClickUp Strategic Business Roadmap Template makes it easier by giving you a clear plan to follow.

This template is packaged in a folder and split into different lists for each department in your business, like Sales, Product, Marketing, and Enablement. This way, every team can focus on their tasks while collectively contributing to the bigger goal.

There are multiple viewing options available for team members. These include:

• Progress Board: Visualize tasks that are on track, those at risk, and those behind
• Gantt view: Get an overview of project timelines and dependencies
• Team view: See what each team member is working on so you can balance workloads for maximum productivity

While this template may feel overwhelming at first, the getting started guide offers a step-by-step breakdown to help you navigate it with ease. And like all ClickUp templates, you can easily customize it to suit your business needs and preferences.

Microsoft’s 20-page traditional business plan template simplifies the process of drafting comprehensive business plans. It’s made up of different sections, including:

• Executive summary : Highlights, objectives, mission statement, and keys to success
• Description of business: Company ownership and legal structure, hours of operation, products and services, suppliers, financial plans, etc.
• Marketing: Market analysis, market segmentation, competition, and pricing
• Appendix: Start-up expenses, cash flow statements, income statements, sales forecast, milestones, break-even analysis, etc.

The table of contents makes it easy to move to different sections of the document. And the text placeholders under each section provide clarity on the specific details required—making the process easier for users who may not be familiar with certain business terminology.

No business template roundup is complete without an Excel template. This business plan template lets you work on your business financials in Excel. It comes with customizable tables, formulas, and charts to help you look at the following areas:

• Highlight charts
• Market analysis
• Start-up assets and expenses
• Sales forecasts
• Profit and loss
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow projections
• Break-even analysis

This Excel template is especially useful when you want to create a clear and visual financial section for your business plan document—an essential element for attracting investors and lenders. However, there might be a steep learning curve to using this template if you’re not familiar with business financial planning and using Excel.

Try a Free Business Plan Template in ClickUp

Launching and running a successful business requires a well-thought-out and carefully crafted business plan. However, the business planning process doesn’t have to be complicated, boring, or take up too much time. Use any of the above 10 free business plan formats to simplify and speed up the process.

ClickUp templates go beyond offering a solid foundation to build your business plans. They come with extensive project management features to turn your vision into reality. And that’s not all— ClickUp’s template library offers over 1,000 additional templates to help manage various aspects of your business, from decision-making to product development to resource management .

Sign up for ClickUp’s Free Forever Plan today to fast-track your business’s growth! 🏆

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Small Business Trends

How to create a business plan: examples & free template.

This is the ultimate guide to creating a comprehensive and effective plan to start a business . In today’s dynamic business landscape, having a well-crafted business plan is an important first step to securing funding, attracting partners, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

This guide has been designed to help you create a winning plan that stands out in the ever-evolving marketplace. U sing real-world examples and a free downloadable template, it will walk you through each step of the process.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or launching your very first startup, the guide will give you the insights, tools, and confidence you need to create a solid foundation for your business.

Table of Contents

How to Write a Business Plan

Embarking on the journey of creating a successful business requires a solid foundation, and a well-crafted business plan is the cornerstone. Here is the process of writing a comprehensive business plan and the main parts of a winning business plan . From setting objectives to conducting market research, this guide will have everything you need.

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary serves as the gateway to your business plan, offering a snapshot of your venture’s core aspects. This section should captivate and inform, succinctly summarizing the essence of your plan.

It’s crucial to include a clear mission statement, a brief description of your primary products or services, an overview of your target market, and key financial projections or achievements.

Think of it as an elevator pitch in written form: it should be compelling enough to engage potential investors or stakeholders and provide them with a clear understanding of what your business is about, its goals, and why it’s a promising investment.

Example: EcoTech is a technology company specializing in eco-friendly and sustainable products designed to reduce energy consumption and minimize waste. Our mission is to create innovative solutions that contribute to a cleaner, greener environment.

Our target market includes environmentally conscious consumers and businesses seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. We project a 200% increase in revenue within the first three years of operation.

Overview and Business Objectives

In the Overview and Business Objectives section, outline your business’s core goals and the strategic approaches you plan to use to achieve them. This section should set forth clear, specific objectives that are attainable and time-bound, providing a roadmap for your business’s growth and success.

It’s important to detail how these objectives align with your company’s overall mission and vision. Discuss the milestones you aim to achieve and the timeframe you’ve set for these accomplishments.

This part of the plan demonstrates to investors and stakeholders your vision for growth and the practical steps you’ll take to get there.

Example: EcoTech’s primary objective is to become a market leader in sustainable technology products within the next five years. Our key objectives include:

• Introducing three new products within the first two years of operation.
• Achieving annual revenue growth of 30%.
• Expanding our customer base to over 10,000 clients by the end of the third year.

Company Description

The Company Description section is your opportunity to delve into the details of your business. Provide a comprehensive overview that includes your company’s history, its mission statement, and its vision for the future.

Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) – what makes your business stand out in the market. Explain the problems your company solves and how it benefits your customers.

Include information about the company’s founders, their expertise, and why they are suited to lead the business to success. This section should paint a vivid picture of your business, its values, and its place in the industry.

Example: EcoTech is committed to developing cutting-edge sustainable technology products that benefit both the environment and our customers. Our unique combination of innovative solutions and eco-friendly design sets us apart from the competition. We envision a future where technology and sustainability go hand in hand, leading to a greener planet.

Define Your Target Market

Defining Your Target Market is critical for tailoring your business strategy effectively. This section should describe your ideal customer base in detail, including demographic information (such as age, gender, income level, and location) and psychographic data (like interests, values, and lifestyle).

Elucidate on the specific needs or pain points of your target audience and how your product or service addresses these. This information will help you know your target market and develop targeted marketing strategies.

Example: Our target market comprises environmentally conscious consumers and businesses looking for innovative solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. Our ideal customers are those who prioritize sustainability and are willing to invest in eco-friendly products.

Market Analysis

The Market Analysis section requires thorough research and a keen understanding of the industry. It involves examining the current trends within your industry, understanding the needs and preferences of your customers, and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors.

This analysis will enable you to spot market opportunities and anticipate potential challenges. Include data and statistics to back up your claims, and use graphs or charts to illustrate market trends.

This section should demonstrate that you have a deep understanding of the market in which you operate and that your business is well-positioned to capitalize on its opportunities.

Example: The market for eco-friendly technology products has experienced significant growth in recent years, with an estimated annual growth rate of 10%. As consumers become increasingly aware of environmental issues, the demand for sustainable solutions continues to rise.

Our research indicates a gap in the market for high-quality, innovative eco-friendly technology products that cater to both individual and business clients.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis in your business plan offers a comprehensive examination of your company’s internal and external factors. By assessing Strengths, you showcase what your business does best and where your capabilities lie.

Weaknesses involve an honest introspection of areas where your business may be lacking or could improve. Opportunities can be external factors that your business could capitalize on, such as market gaps or emerging trends.

Threats include external challenges your business may face, like competition or market changes. This analysis is crucial for strategic planning, as it helps in recognizing and leveraging your strengths, addressing weaknesses, seizing opportunities, and preparing for potential threats.

Including a SWOT analysis demonstrates to stakeholders that you have a balanced and realistic understanding of your business in its operational context.

• Innovative and eco-friendly product offerings.
• Strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Skilled and experienced team with expertise in technology and sustainability.

Weaknesses:

• Limited brand recognition compared to established competitors.
• Reliance on third-party manufacturers for product development.

Opportunities:

• Growing consumer interest in sustainable products.
• Partnerships with environmentally-focused organizations and influencers.
• Expansion into international markets.
• Intense competition from established technology companies.
• Regulatory changes could impact the sustainable technology market.

Competitive Analysis

In this section, you’ll analyze your competitors in-depth, examining their products, services, market positioning, and pricing strategies. Understanding your competition allows you to identify gaps in the market and tailor your offerings to outperform them.

By conducting a thorough competitive analysis, you can gain insights into your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to develop strategies to differentiate your business and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Example: Key competitors include:

GreenTech: A well-known brand offering eco-friendly technology products, but with a narrower focus on energy-saving devices.

EarthSolutions: A direct competitor specializing in sustainable technology, but with a limited product range and higher prices.

By offering a diverse product portfolio, competitive pricing, and continuous innovation, we believe we can capture a significant share of the growing sustainable technology market.

Organization and Management Team

Provide an overview of your company’s organizational structure, including key roles and responsibilities. Introduce your management team, highlighting their expertise and experience to demonstrate that your team is capable of executing the business plan successfully.

Showcasing your team’s background, skills, and accomplishments instills confidence in investors and other stakeholders, proving that your business has the leadership and talent necessary to achieve its objectives and manage growth effectively.

Example: EcoTech’s organizational structure comprises the following key roles: CEO, CTO, CFO, Sales Director, Marketing Director, and R&D Manager. Our management team has extensive experience in technology, sustainability, and business development, ensuring that we are well-equipped to execute our business plan successfully.

Products and Services Offered

Describe the products or services your business offers, focusing on their unique features and benefits. Explain how your offerings solve customer pain points and why they will choose your products or services over the competition.

This section should emphasize the value you provide to customers, demonstrating that your business has a deep understanding of customer needs and is well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions that address those needs and set your company apart from competitors.

Example: EcoTech offers a range of eco-friendly technology products, including energy-efficient lighting solutions, solar chargers, and smart home devices that optimize energy usage. Our products are designed to help customers reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

In this section, articulate your comprehensive strategy for reaching your target market and driving sales. Detail the specific marketing channels you plan to use, such as social media, email marketing, SEO, or traditional advertising.

Describe the nature of your advertising campaigns and promotional activities, explaining how they will capture the attention of your target audience and convey the value of your products or services. Outline your sales strategy, including your sales process, team structure, and sales targets.

Discuss how these marketing and sales efforts will work together to attract and retain customers, generate leads, and ultimately contribute to achieving your business’s revenue goals.

This section is critical to convey to investors and stakeholders that you have a well-thought-out approach to market your business effectively and drive sales growth.

Example: Our marketing strategy includes digital advertising, content marketing, social media promotion, and influencer partnerships. We will also attend trade shows and conferences to showcase our products and connect with potential clients. Our sales strategy involves both direct sales and partnerships with retail stores, as well as online sales through our website and e-commerce platforms.

Logistics and Operations Plan

The Logistics and Operations Plan is a critical component that outlines the inner workings of your business. It encompasses the management of your supply chain, detailing how you acquire raw materials and manage vendor relationships.

Inventory control is another crucial aspect, where you explain strategies for inventory management to ensure efficiency and reduce wastage. The section should also describe your production processes, emphasizing scalability and adaptability to meet changing market demands.

Quality control measures are essential to maintain product standards and customer satisfaction. This plan assures investors and stakeholders of your operational competency and readiness to meet business demands.

Highlighting your commitment to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction underlines your business’s capability to maintain smooth, effective operations even as it scales.

Example: EcoTech partners with reliable third-party manufacturers to produce our eco-friendly technology products. Our operations involve maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring quality control, and managing inventory.

We also prioritize efficient distribution through various channels, including online platforms and retail partners, to deliver products to our customers in a timely manner.

Financial Projections Plan

In the Financial Projections Plan, lay out a clear and realistic financial future for your business. This should include detailed projections for revenue, costs, and profitability over the next three to five years.

Ground these projections in solid assumptions based on your market analysis, industry benchmarks, and realistic growth scenarios. Break down revenue streams and include an analysis of the cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and potential investments.

This section should also discuss your break-even analysis, cash flow projections, and any assumptions about external funding requirements.

By presenting a thorough and data-backed financial forecast, you instill confidence in potential investors and lenders, showcasing your business’s potential for profitability and financial stability.

This forward-looking financial plan is crucial for demonstrating that you have a firm grasp of the financial nuances of your business and are prepared to manage its financial health effectively.

Example: Over the next three years, we expect to see significant growth in revenue, driven by new product launches and market expansion. Our financial projections include:

• Year 1: $1.5 million in revenue, with a net profit of $200,000.
• Year 2: $3 million in revenue, with a net profit of $500,000.
• Year 3: $4.5 million in revenue, with a net profit of $1 million.

These projections are based on realistic market analysis, growth rates, and product pricing.

Income Statement

The income statement , also known as the profit and loss statement, provides a summary of your company’s revenues and expenses over a specified period. It helps you track your business’s financial performance and identify trends, ensuring you stay on track to achieve your financial goals.

Regularly reviewing and analyzing your income statement allows you to monitor the health of your business, evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies, and make data-driven decisions to optimize profitability and growth.

Example: The income statement for EcoTech’s first year of operation is as follows:

• Revenue: $1,500,000
• Cost of Goods Sold: $800,000
• Gross Profit: $700,000
• Operating Expenses: $450,000
• Net Income: $250,000

This statement highlights our company’s profitability and overall financial health during the first year of operation.

Cash Flow Statement

A cash flow statement is a crucial part of a financial business plan that shows the inflows and outflows of cash within your business. It helps you monitor your company’s liquidity, ensuring you have enough cash on hand to cover operating expenses, pay debts, and invest in growth opportunities.

By including a cash flow statement in your business plan, you demonstrate your ability to manage your company’s finances effectively.

Example:  The cash flow statement for EcoTech’s first year of operation is as follows:

Operating Activities:

• Depreciation: $10,000
• Changes in Working Capital: -$50,000
• Net Cash from Operating Activities: $210,000

Investing Activities:

•  Capital Expenditures: -$100,000
• Net Cash from Investing Activities: -$100,000

Financing Activities:

• Proceeds from Loans: $150,000
• Loan Repayments: -$50,000
• Net Cash from Financing Activities: $100,000
• Net Increase in Cash: $210,000

This statement demonstrates EcoTech’s ability to generate positive cash flow from operations, maintain sufficient liquidity, and invest in growth opportunities.

Tips on Writing a Business Plan

1. Be clear and concise: Keep your language simple and straightforward. Avoid jargon and overly technical terms. A clear and concise business plan is easier for investors and stakeholders to understand and demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively.

2. Conduct thorough research: Before writing your business plan, gather as much information as possible about your industry, competitors, and target market. Use reliable sources and industry reports to inform your analysis and make data-driven decisions.

3. Set realistic goals: Your business plan should outline achievable objectives that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Setting realistic goals demonstrates your understanding of the market and increases the likelihood of success.

4. Focus on your unique selling proposition (USP): Clearly articulate what sets your business apart from the competition. Emphasize your USP throughout your business plan to showcase your company’s value and potential for success.

5. Be flexible and adaptable: A business plan is a living document that should evolve as your business grows and changes. Be prepared to update and revise your plan as you gather new information and learn from your experiences.

6. Use visuals to enhance understanding: Include charts, graphs, and other visuals to help convey complex data and ideas. Visuals can make your business plan more engaging and easier to digest, especially for those who prefer visual learning.

7. Seek feedback from trusted sources: Share your business plan with mentors, industry experts, or colleagues and ask for their feedback. Their insights can help you identify areas for improvement and strengthen your plan before presenting it to potential investors or partners.

FREE Business Plan Template

To help you get started on your business plan, we have created a template that includes all the essential components discussed in the “How to Write a Business Plan” section. This easy-to-use template will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you don’t miss any critical details.

The template is divided into the following sections:

• Mission statement
• Business Overview
• Key products or services
• Target market
• Financial highlights
• Company goals
• Strategies to achieve goals
• Measurable, time-bound objectives
• Company History
• Mission and vision
• Unique selling proposition
• Demographics
• Psychographics
• Pain points
• Industry trends
• Customer needs
• Competitor strengths and weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Competitor products and services
• Market positioning
• Pricing strategies
• Organizational structure
• Key roles and responsibilities
• Management team backgrounds
• Product or service features
• Competitive advantages
• Marketing channels
• Advertising campaigns
• Promotional activities
• Sales strategies
• Supply chain management
• Inventory control
• Production processes
• Quality control measures
• Projected revenue
• Assumptions
• Cash inflows
• Cash outflows
• Net cash flow

What is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a strategic document that outlines an organization’s goals, objectives, and the steps required to achieve them. It serves as a roadmap as you start a business , guiding the company’s direction and growth while identifying potential obstacles and opportunities.

Typically, a business plan covers areas such as market analysis, financial projections, marketing strategies, and organizational structure. It not only helps in securing funding from investors and lenders but also provides clarity and focus to the management team.

A well-crafted business plan is a very important part of your business startup checklist because it fosters informed decision-making and long-term success.

Why You Should Write a Business Plan

Understanding the importance of a business plan in today’s competitive environment is crucial for entrepreneurs and business owners. Here are five compelling reasons to write a business plan:

• Attract Investors and Secure Funding : A well-written business plan demonstrates your venture’s potential and profitability, making it easier to attract investors and secure the necessary funding for growth and development. It provides a detailed overview of your business model, target market, financial projections, and growth strategies, instilling confidence in potential investors and lenders that your company is a worthy investment.
• Clarify Business Objectives and Strategies : Crafting a business plan forces you to think critically about your goals and the strategies you’ll employ to achieve them, providing a clear roadmap for success. This process helps you refine your vision and prioritize the most critical objectives, ensuring that your efforts are focused on achieving the desired results.
• Identify Potential Risks and Opportunities : Analyzing the market, competition, and industry trends within your business plan helps identify potential risks and uncover untapped opportunities for growth and expansion. This insight enables you to develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities, positioning your business for long-term success.
• Improve Decision-Making : A business plan serves as a reference point so you can make informed decisions that align with your company’s overall objectives and long-term vision. By consistently referring to your plan and adjusting it as needed, you can ensure that your business remains on track and adapts to changes in the market, industry, or internal operations.
• Foster Team Alignment and Communication : A shared business plan helps ensure that all team members are on the same page, promoting clear communication, collaboration, and a unified approach to achieving the company’s goals. By involving your team in the planning process and regularly reviewing the plan together, you can foster a sense of ownership, commitment, and accountability that drives success.

What are the Different Types of Business Plans?

In today’s fast-paced business world, having a well-structured roadmap is more important than ever. A traditional business plan provides a comprehensive overview of your company’s goals and strategies, helping you make informed decisions and achieve long-term success. There are various types of business plans, each designed to suit different needs and purposes. Let’s explore the main types:

• Startup Business Plan: Tailored for new ventures, a startup business plan outlines the company’s mission, objectives, target market, competition, marketing strategies, and financial projections. It helps entrepreneurs clarify their vision, secure funding from investors, and create a roadmap for their business’s future. Additionally, this plan identifies potential challenges and opportunities, which are crucial for making informed decisions and adapting to changing market conditions.
• Internal Business Plan: This type of plan is intended for internal use, focusing on strategies, milestones, deadlines, and resource allocation. It serves as a management tool for guiding the company’s growth, evaluating its progress, and ensuring that all departments are aligned with the overall vision. The internal business plan also helps identify areas of improvement, fosters collaboration among team members, and provides a reference point for measuring performance.
• Strategic Business Plan: A strategic business plan outlines long-term goals and the steps to achieve them, providing a clear roadmap for the company’s direction. It typically includes a SWOT analysis, market research, and competitive analysis. This plan allows businesses to align their resources with their objectives, anticipate changes in the market, and develop contingency plans. By focusing on the big picture, a strategic business plan fosters long-term success and stability.
• Feasibility Business Plan: This plan is designed to assess the viability of a business idea, examining factors such as market demand, competition, and financial projections. It is often used to decide whether or not to pursue a particular venture. By conducting a thorough feasibility analysis, entrepreneurs can avoid investing time and resources into an unviable business concept. This plan also helps refine the business idea, identify potential obstacles, and determine the necessary resources for success.
• Growth Business Plan: Also known as an expansion plan, a growth business plan focuses on strategies for scaling up an existing business. It includes market analysis, new product or service offerings, and financial projections to support expansion plans. This type of plan is essential for businesses looking to enter new markets, increase their customer base, or launch new products or services. By outlining clear growth strategies, the plan helps ensure that expansion efforts are well-coordinated and sustainable.
• Operational Business Plan: This type of plan outlines the company’s day-to-day operations, detailing the processes, procedures, and organizational structure. It is an essential tool for managing resources, streamlining workflows, and ensuring smooth operations. The operational business plan also helps identify inefficiencies, implement best practices, and establish a strong foundation for future growth. By providing a clear understanding of daily operations, this plan enables businesses to optimize their resources and enhance productivity.
• Lean Business Plan: A lean business plan is a simplified, agile version of a traditional plan, focusing on key elements such as value proposition, customer segments, revenue streams, and cost structure. It is perfect for startups looking for a flexible, adaptable planning approach. The lean business plan allows for rapid iteration and continuous improvement, enabling businesses to pivot and adapt to changing market conditions. This streamlined approach is particularly beneficial for businesses in fast-paced or uncertain industries.
• One-Page Business Plan: As the name suggests, a one-page business plan is a concise summary of your company’s key objectives, strategies, and milestones. It serves as a quick reference guide and is ideal for pitching to potential investors or partners. This plan helps keep teams focused on essential goals and priorities, fosters clear communication, and provides a snapshot of the company’s progress. While not as comprehensive as other plans, a one-page business plan is an effective tool for maintaining clarity and direction.
• Nonprofit Business Plan: Specifically designed for nonprofit organizations, this plan outlines the mission, goals, target audience, fundraising strategies, and budget allocation. It helps secure grants and donations while ensuring the organization stays on track with its objectives. The nonprofit business plan also helps attract volunteers, board members, and community support. By demonstrating the organization’s impact and plans for the future, this plan is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability within the nonprofit sector.
• Franchise Business Plan: For entrepreneurs seeking to open a franchise, this type of plan focuses on the franchisor’s requirements, as well as the franchisee’s goals, strategies, and financial projections. It is crucial for securing a franchise agreement and ensuring the business’s success within the franchise system. This plan outlines the franchisee’s commitment to brand standards, marketing efforts, and operational procedures, while also addressing local market conditions and opportunities. By creating a solid franchise business plan, entrepreneurs can demonstrate their ability to effectively manage and grow their franchise, increasing the likelihood of a successful partnership with the franchisor.

Using Business Plan Software

Creating a comprehensive business plan can be intimidating, but business plan software can streamline the process and help you produce a professional document. These tools offer a number of benefits, including guided step-by-step instructions, financial projections, and industry-specific templates. Here are the top 5 business plan software options available to help you craft a great business plan.

1. LivePlan

LivePlan is a popular choice for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. It offers over 500 sample plans, financial forecasting tools, and the ability to track your progress against key performance indicators. With LivePlan, you can create visually appealing, professional business plans that will impress investors and stakeholders.

2. Upmetrics

Upmetrics provides a simple and intuitive platform for creating a well-structured business plan. It features customizable templates, financial forecasting tools, and collaboration capabilities, allowing you to work with team members and advisors. Upmetrics also offers a library of resources to guide you through the business planning process.

Bizplan is designed to simplify the business planning process with a drag-and-drop builder and modular sections. It offers financial forecasting tools, progress tracking, and a visually appealing interface. With Bizplan, you can create a business plan that is both easy to understand and visually engaging.

Enloop is a robust business plan software that automatically generates a tailored plan based on your inputs. It provides industry-specific templates, financial forecasting, and a unique performance score that updates as you make changes to your plan. Enloop also offers a free version, making it accessible for businesses on a budget.

5. Tarkenton GoSmallBiz

Developed by NFL Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton, GoSmallBiz is tailored for small businesses and startups. It features a guided business plan builder, customizable templates, and financial projection tools. GoSmallBiz also offers additional resources, such as CRM tools and legal document templates, to support your business beyond the planning stage.

Business Plan FAQs

What is a good business plan.

A good business plan is a well-researched, clear, and concise document that outlines a company’s goals, strategies, target market, competitive advantages, and financial projections. It should be adaptable to change and provide a roadmap for achieving success.

What are the 3 main purposes of a business plan?

The three main purposes of a business plan are to guide the company’s strategy, attract investment, and evaluate performance against objectives. Here’s a closer look at each of these:

• It outlines the company’s purpose and core values to ensure that all activities align with its mission and vision.
• It provides an in-depth analysis of the market, including trends, customer needs, and competition, helping the company tailor its products and services to meet market demands.
• It defines the company’s marketing and sales strategies, guiding how the company will attract and retain customers.
• It describes the company’s organizational structure and management team, outlining roles and responsibilities to ensure effective operation and leadership.
• It sets measurable, time-bound objectives, allowing the company to plan its activities effectively and make strategic decisions to achieve these goals.
• It provides a comprehensive overview of the company and its business model, demonstrating its uniqueness and potential for success.
• It presents the company’s financial projections, showing its potential for profitability and return on investment.
• It demonstrates the company’s understanding of the market, including its target customers and competition, convincing investors that the company is capable of gaining a significant market share.
• It showcases the management team’s expertise and experience, instilling confidence in investors that the team is capable of executing the business plan successfully.
• It establishes clear, measurable objectives that serve as performance benchmarks.
• It provides a basis for regular performance reviews, allowing the company to monitor its progress and identify areas for improvement.
• It enables the company to assess the effectiveness of its strategies and make adjustments as needed to achieve its objectives.
• It helps the company identify potential risks and challenges, enabling it to develop contingency plans and manage risks effectively.
• It provides a mechanism for evaluating the company’s financial performance, including revenue, expenses, profitability, and cash flow.

Can I write a business plan by myself?

Yes, you can write a business plan by yourself, but it can be helpful to consult with mentors, colleagues, or industry experts to gather feedback and insights. There are also many creative business plan templates and business plan examples available online, including those above.

We also have examples for specific industries, including a using food truck business plan , salon business plan , farm business plan , daycare business plan , and restaurant business plan .

Is it possible to create a one-page business plan?

Yes, a one-page business plan is a condensed version that highlights the most essential elements, including the company’s mission, target market, unique selling proposition, and financial goals.

How long should a business plan be?

A typical business plan ranges from 20 to 50 pages, but the length may vary depending on the complexity and needs of the business.

What is a business plan outline?

A business plan outline is a structured framework that organizes the content of a business plan into sections, such as the executive summary, company description, market analysis, and financial projections.

What are the 5 most common business plan mistakes?

The five most common business plan mistakes include inadequate research, unrealistic financial projections, lack of focus on the unique selling proposition, poor organization and structure, and failure to update the plan as circumstances change.

What questions should be asked in a business plan?

A business plan should address questions such as: What problem does the business solve? Who is the specific target market ? What is the unique selling proposition? What are the company’s objectives? How will it achieve those objectives?

What’s the difference between a business plan and a strategic plan?

A business plan focuses on the overall vision, goals, and tactics of a company, while a strategic plan outlines the specific strategies, action steps, and performance measures necessary to achieve the company’s objectives.

How is business planning for a nonprofit different?

Nonprofit business planning focuses on the organization’s mission, social impact, and resource management, rather than profit generation. The financial section typically includes funding sources, expenses, and projected budgets for programs and operations.

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How To Write the Management Section of a Business Plan

Susan Ward wrote about small businesses for The Balance for 18 years. She has run an IT consulting firm and designed and presented courses on how to promote small businesses.

Ownership Structure

Internal management team, external management resources, human resources, frequently asked questions (faqs).

When developing a business plan , the 'management section' describes your management team, staff, resources, and how your business ownership is structured. This section should not only describe who's on your management team but how each person's skill set will contribute to your bottom line. In this article, we will detail exactly how to compose and best highlight your management team.

Key Takeaways

• The management section of a business plan helps show how your management team and company are structured.
• The first section shows the ownership structure, which might be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
• The internal management section shows the department heads, including sales, marketing, administration, and production.
• The external management resources help back up your internal management and include an advisory board and consultants.
• The human resources section contains staffing requirements—part-time or full-time—skills needed for employees and the costs.

This section outlines the legal structure of your business. It may only be a single sentence if your business is a sole proprietorship. If your business is a partnership or a corporation, it can be longer. You want to be sure you explain who holds what percentage of ownership in the company.

The internal management section should describe the business management categories relevant to your business, identify who will have responsibility for each category, and then include a short profile highlighting each person's skills.

The primary business categories of sales, marketing , administration, and production usually work for many small businesses. If your business has employees, you will also need a human resources section. You may also find that your company needs additional management categories to fit your unique circumstances.

It's not necessary to have a different person in charge of each category; some key management people often fill more than one role. Identify the key managers in your business and explain what functions and experience each team member will serve. You may wish to present this as an organizational chart in your business plan, although the list format is also appropriate.

Along with this section, you should include the complete resumés of each management team member (including your own). Follow this with an explanation of how each member will be compensated and their benefits package, and describe any profit-sharing plans that may apply.

If there are any contracts that relate directly to your management team members, such as work contracts or non-competition agreements, you should include them in an Appendix to your business plan.

While external management resources are often overlooked when writing a business plan , using these resources effectively can make the difference between the success or failure of your managers. Think of these external resources as your internal management team's backup. They give your business credibility and an additional pool of expertise.

Advisory Board

An Advisory Board can increase consumer and investor confidence, attract talented employees by showing a commitment to company growth and bring a diversity of contributions. If you choose to have an Advisory Board , list all the board members in this section, and include a bio and all relevant specializations. If you choose your board members carefully, the group can compensate for the niche forms of expertise that your internal managers lack.

When selecting your board members, look for people who are genuinely interested in seeing your business do well and have the patience and time to provide sound advice.

Recently retired executives or managers, other successful entrepreneurs, and/or vendors would be good choices for an Advisory Board.

Professional Services

Professional Services should also be highlighted in the external management resources section. Describe all the external professional advisors that your business will use, such as accountants, bankers, lawyers, IT consultants, business consultants, and/or business coaches. These professionals provide a web of advice and support outside your internal management team that can be invaluable in making management decisions and your new business a success .

The last point you should address in the management section of your business plan is your human resources needs. The trick to writing about human resources is to be specific. To simply write, "We'll need more people once we get up and running," isn't sufficient. Follow this list:

• Detail how many employees your business will need at each stage and what they will cost.
• Describe exactly how your business's human resources needs can be met. Will it be best to have employees, or should you operate with contract workers or freelancers ? Do you need full-time or part-time staff or a mix of both?
• Outline your staffing requirements, including a description of the specific skills that the people working for you will need to possess.
• Calculate your labor costs. Decide the number of employees you will need and how many customers each employee can serve. For example, if it takes one employee to serve 150 customers, and you forecast 1,500 customers in your first year, your business will need 10 employees.
• Determine how much each employee will receive and total the salary cost for all your employees.
• Add to this the cost of  Workers' Compensation Insurance  (mandatory for most businesses) and the cost of any other employee benefits, such as company-sponsored medical and dental plans.

After you've listed the points above, describe how you will find the staff your business needs and how you will train them. Your description of staff recruitment should explain whether or not sufficient local labor is available and how you will recruit staff.

When you're writing about staff training, you'll want to include as many specifics as possible. What specific training will your staff undergo? What ongoing training opportunities will you provide your employees?

Even if the plan for your business is to start as a sole proprietorship, you should include a section on potential human resources demands as a way to demonstrate that you've thought about the staffing your business may require as it grows.

Business plans are about the future and the hypothetical challenges and successes that await. It's worth visualizing and documenting the details of your business so that the materials and network around your dream can begin to take shape.

What is the management section of a business plan?

The 'management section' describes your management team, staff, resources, and how your business ownership is structured.

What are the 5 sections of a business plan?

A business plan provides a road map showing your company's goals and how you'll achieve them. The five sections of a business plan are as follows:

• The  market analysis  outlines the demand for your product or service.
• The  competitive analysis  section shows your competition's strengths and weaknesses and your strategy for gaining market share.
• The management plan outlines your ownership structure, the management team, and staffing requirements.
• The  operating plan  details your business location and the facilities, equipment, and supplies needed to operate.
• The  financial plan  shows the map to financial success and the sources of funding, such as bank loans or investors.

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Free Small Business Plan Templates and Examples

By Kate Eby | April 27, 2022

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We’ve compiled the most useful collection of free small business plan templates for entrepreneurs, project managers, development teams, investors, and other stakeholders, as well as a list of useful tips for filling out a small business template.

Included on this page, you’ll find a simple small business template and a one-page small business plan template . You can also download a fill-in-the-blank small business plan template , and a sample small business plan template to get started.

Small Business Plan Template

Download Small Business Plan Template Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs  

Use this small business plan template to identify trends and demographics in the company overview. Highlight how your product or service uniquely benefits consumers in the offerings section, and note your proposed timeline, milestones, and the key performance metrics (KPIs) you will use to measure your success. This template has all the components of a standard business plan, from the executive summary through financing details.

Small Business Plan Sample Template

Download Small Business Plan Sample Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs  

Use this small business plan sample template to draft the subsections and headings of the contents of your plan. This template provides editable sample text that shows you how to organize and create a ready-to-be-implemented business plan. This sample template helps remove the guesswork of what to include in a small business plan.

Simple Small Business Plan Template

Download Simple Small Business Plan Template Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

Use this streamlined, customizable, simple small business plan template to chart revenue, expenses, and net profit or loss forecasts with sample graphics. Order your small business plan with numbered subsections and list them in a table of contents. Supplement the plan with additional information in the appendix for a complete business plan that you can present to investors.

Small Business Plan Chart Template

Download Small Business Plan Chart Template Microsoft PowerPoint | Google Slides

Use this small business plan chart template to plan and track month-by-month and annual business planning. The flexible color-coded bar chart simplifies tracking and allows you to customize the plan to meet your needs. Add tasks, track owner status, and adjust the timeline to chart your progress with this dynamic, visually rich small business planning tool.

Small Business Plan Outline Template

Download Small Business Plan Outline Template Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Use this small business plan outline template to jumpstart a plan for your small business. This template includes the nine essential elements of a traditional business plan, plus a title page, a table of contents, and an appendix to ensure that your document is complete, comprehensive, and in order. Easily simplify or expand the outline to meet your company’s needs.

Printable Small Business Plan Template

Download Printable Small Business Plan Template  Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

This print-friendly small business plan template is ideal for presentations to investors and stakeholders. The customizable template includes all the standard, critical business plan elements, and serves as a guide for writing a complete and comprehensive plan. Easily edit and add content to this printable template, so you can focus on executing the small business plan.

Small Business Startup Plan Template

Download Small Business Startup Plan Template Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs  

Use this small business startup plan template to draft your mission statement and list your keys to business success, in order to persuade investors and inform stakeholders. Customize your startup plan with fillable tables for sales revenue, gross profit margin, and cost of sales projections to secure your business's pricing structure.

Fill-in-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template

Download Fill-in-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template  Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

This small business plan template simplifies the process to help you create a comprehensive, organized business plan. Simply enter original content for the executive summary, company overview, and other sections to customize the plan. This fill-in-the-blank small business plan template helps you to maintain organization and removes the guesswork in order to ensure success.

One Page Small Business Plan Template

Download One Page Small Business Plan Template  Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

This one page small business plan template is ideal for quick, simple presentations. Use this template to summarize your business overview, market analysis, marketing, and sales plan, key objectives and success metrics, and milestones timeline. Complete the fillable sections to educate investors and inform stakeholders.

One Page Small Business Plan Example

Download One Page Business Plan Example Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

This one page small business plan example prompts you to list your vision, mission, product or service, team member names, roles, and relevant experience to promote your small business. Use the market analysis, marketing, sales plan sections to detail how you aim to sell your product or service. This small business plan features fillable tables for key objectives and success metrics. Plus, you’ll find space for your financial cost structure and revenue sources to show how your business will remain profitable.

What Is a Small Business Plan Template?

A small business plan template is a roadmap for defining your business objectives and detailing the operational, financial, and marketing resources required for success. Use a small business plan template to strategize growth, forecast financial needs, and promote investment. 

A small business plan template organizes and outlines the content needed to achieve goals for growth and profit, including marketing and sales tactics. As opposed to starting from scratch, using a template makes it easy to organize the information and customize the plan to meet your needs. 

A small business plan template includes standard business plan sections, as well as the following sections: 

• Executive Summary: Summarize the key points in your small business plan in two pages or less to hold your reader's attention and promote buy-in. Write this section last to capitalize on your understanding of the small business plan.
• Company Overview: Describe the nature of your small business, the industry landscape and trends, demographics, and economic and governmental influences. List your location, product or service, and goals to show what makes your small business unique.
• Problem and Solution: Identify and explain the problem your product or service will solve and its costs. Propose and describe your solution and its benefits. Conclude this section with a summary of the problem and solution.
• Target Market: Identify your small business's target market by researching your product and service to determine the most likely demographic. Explain your target market's motivations for buying your product or service.
• Competition: Note the other competitor product or service offerings, pricing, and company revenues to understand how to outperform your competitors. Detail your small business's competitive advantages, based on research.
• Product or Service Offerings: Describe your product or service, how it benefits your target market, and what makes it unique. Highlight how your product or service will outsell competitors.
• Marketing: Detail your marketing plan with objectives and strategy, including goals, costs, and an action plan. A successful marketing plan reduces costs and boosts your product or service sales.
• Timeline and Metrics: Break down your small business plan into smaller activities. Describe these activities (and the performance metrics you intend to use to track them) and list a completion date for each.
• Financial Forecasts: Explain how your organization uses past performance and market research to inform your business's economic forecasts. Estimate growth and profits based on your informed assumptions.
• Financing: List your funding sources and how you intend to use the funds to keep your company on track as it grows. Smart financing at the planning stage prepares your organization for unexpected challenges and helps to mitigate risk.

A small business plan template enables you to complete your business plan quickly and comprehensively, so you can achieve your goals and turn your product or service idea into a profitable reality.

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How to write a business plan (with template)

We all know that as a product manager you’re also the CEO of the product. While you own the product backlog, you’re also responsible for expanding the product and adding new features to increase value for users and the business. Whether you work in a start-up or are a PM in a large organization, creating a business plan is crucial before pitching in any new idea.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the problem, the solution, market outreach possibilities, potential threats, a clear goal, and a measurable return on investment with a year-on-year growth strategy.

Significance of a business plan

All product organizations have started seeing the importance of a business plan before approving a new product idea. A good business plan has numerous benefits, the most fundamental being an opportunity to think through the idea before investing time and resources.

The following are the key traits of a good business plan.

Clarity of vision

Taking the time to write down an idea can bring greater clarity to your vision. It allows you to better understand the problem at hand and reveal all possible solutions. This is because writing forces you to slow down and think everything through, resulting in a more evident thought process.

Strategic guidance

When creating a business plan, including financial projections and forecasts is useful. This helps develop a strategic plan by considering marketing strategies, launch plans, development costs, and expected return on investment. However, conducting proper research and due diligence is crucial to ensure that the predictions are as accurate as possible. This process can lead to gaining more insights, taking necessary steps beforehand, and fostering collaboration.

Risk management

A business plan is crucial as it allows you to identify potential risks beforehand. As part of creating a business plan, conducting a competitor analysis, identifying your target market, performing a SWOT analysis (focusing on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and determining your unique selling points is essential. By analyzing these factors, you can gain valuable insights into potential risks and market trends and create an effective risk management plan to ensure success.

Operational planning

While creating a business plan, it becomes essential to forecast, plan milestones, and produce a roadmap. This involves looking into the development timeline, launch plan, and marketing strategies. By doing so, you can outline an operational plan and calculate the resources required to complete the project within a specified deadline. Measuring the rollout plan and determining the appropriate launch plan is crucial.

Measurable objectives and milestones

In addition to a roadmap and milestones, it’s essential to provide critical metrics to measure success. This will help product teams clearly understand the overall roadmap and milestones and ensure that the key results are defined to determine if the product is successful.

Components of a business plan

The business plan will look different for different products depending on the business, product area, and other factors. Still, a few common elements must be a part of each business plan.

Problem statement

Defining the problem in the right way is the most crucial thing. While defining the problem, always consider backing up the claims by data. Use surveys and user testimonies to construct the problem statement in the most relatable manner:

Solution description / mission statement

When presenting a solution, it’s important to avoid using technical jargon and instead describe it in a way that’s easy to understand for anyone, regardless of their technical background. If specific technical details need to be included, put them in an appendix for those who want to read more.

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Creating a clear mission statement outlining what you aim to achieve with your solution is also essential. Avoid using vague language and be as specific and straightforward as possible. The more specific your goal, the better.

Market analysis

This section requires a comprehensive and detailed analysis of various aspects crucial to any product’s success in the market. The four main areas addressed are product-market fit , target customers, total market share, and unique selling proposition (USP).

Product-market fit is about identifying the gap that exists in the market and how your product can bridge that gap.

Defining target customers includes understanding their demographics, behavior, preferences, and needs. It’s also essential to identify any secondary customer base that can be targeted, which can help expand the product’s reach and appeal:

Total market share, or the total available market, refers to the overall revenue opportunity available for a product or service if 100 percent market share is achieved. It gives a clear idea of the scope of expansion for the product after launch.

Unique selling proposition (USP) is a critical aspect of any product’s success that defines why customers should choose your product over others. It’s what sets your product apart from the competition and makes it stand out. Identifying and promoting your USP can help to differentiate your product and create a sense of confidence among sponsors.

Competitor analysis

When analyzing competitors, people tend only to consider direct competitors. However, a great product stands out by taking customers away from even indirect competitors. For example, TikTok and Reels are taking up viewership time that Netflix and other streaming services previously held. Therefore, Netflix’s competitors are not limited to other streaming services but include other platforms providing quick and engaging content:

Projection and forecast

Creating a comprehensive and effective business plan, including a detailed projection of operational costs and a sales and revenue generation forecast is crucial. You can enhance the plan by providing a summarized version of the roadmap and revenue plan and giving sponsors a quick overview of the expected development time, launch dates, and other essential details. Doing so can ensure that your business plan is constructive and comprehensive, in turn laying out a clear path to success.

This is a section of the business plan where you can finally reveal your expectations towards the sponsor or the investors. You have established a business model and the effect of your product. Now, it’s time to be clear and specific about the investment required to reach the goal, including the expected time frame.

The aim is to clearly outline the expected returns so that any potential sponsor or investor can decide whether the opportunity aligns with their goals. This is a mutually beneficial partnership; you can establish a foundation for a good relationship with transparency.

Business plan template

Here’s a one-pager template for a business plan that suits most products:

Here you can find the full PPT template for the business plan, including all the components.

Final thoughts

A business plan is a crucial document that outlines the entire product lifecycle from inception to launch. It aims to align stakeholders, minimize uncertainties, and increase the likelihood of product success in the market. Effective business plans are those that demonstrate a compelling opportunity backed by thorough research and a clear strategy for execution and growth.

These templates can make your next pitch easier!

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Business Plan Template

Use this free Business Plan Template for Word to manage your projects better.

To start your business journey on the right foot, download our free business plan template and break down your business goals into actionable components.

Before you can start your business, you need to find your niche, seek financial backing and create a business plan to bring your idea to fruition. Our free business plan template will guide you through every step of the way. But first, let’s quickly define what a business plan is.

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that explains how a business will operate and establish itself in the market to generate profits. Business plans are usually created before a new business starts, to make sure there are no loose ends that could affect its profitability or ability to operate. They can also be created for business improvement purposes.

Business plans are also crucial for raising funds for new business ventures, as they’re used to provide the key details an investor should know to determine whether or not a business is a sound investment.

What Is a Business Plan Template?

Our business plan template outlines the business, product or service that you want to launch. It also details the market you’re targeting, the goals and objectives of the venture and how you propose to achieve them.

The business plan is one of the three pillars that any new idea must stand on to be successful. The other two are a marketing plan and a financial plan. These will be touched upon in part within the business plan template and included in full as supporting documents.

What Should Be Included In a Business Plan Template?

Business plans vary from one organization to another. However, there are key elements that any business plan should have to provide a clear picture of a business, especially if you’re creating a business plan to request funding from investors. Here’s an outline that includes some of the most fundamental aspects to add to your business plans.

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Market analysis
• Marketing & sales strategy
• Operational plan
• Financial projections
• Organizational structure and management
• Legal structure

While you can decide how thorough you want your business plan to be, you’ll want to provide as many details as possible. A detailed business plan can reveal significant flaws in your business model. Business planning flaws such as ignoring industry trends can cost your company money, or could even lead to bankruptcy, so it’s important that you take your time when making a business plan.

How to Use This Free Business Plan Template

Now, let’s dive into each of those sections to have a better idea of how to use this business plan template for Word.

Executive Summary

Here’s where you lay out your idea. Your executive summary is the elevator pitch, something that encapsulates your business plan contents in just one page or a couple of paragraphs.

The main purpose of your executive summary is to highlight the key elements from your business plan thatyou wish to communicate to investors or stakeholders such as the market opportunity, an overview of how you’ll manage the venture, competitive advantages, key aspects of the company background, etc.

Company Description

This section explains what your company does and what it intends to achieve.

• Mission statement: The mission statement is a short action declaration that explains the purpose of your business and what it does. It should be one or two sentences long.
• Vision statement: The vision statement is similar to your mission statement in terms of length, but the vision statement states the future goals of the organization.
• Value proposition: The value proposition explains how your company will offer value to customers in a unique way that differentiates it from the competition.
• Core values: The core values are the guiding principles that shape your company’s organizational culture, such as integrity, innovation and collaboration.

Market Analysis

This section should explain to readers how your company intends to compete and position itself in a particular market. To do so, you should include the following:

• Industry analysis: Provide an overview of your business industry. Briefly explain if there are any current trends that might affect your business, either positively or negatively, such as new competitors, new technologies or any other changes. You should include statistics to explain how your industry has grown over the years to convince stakeholders of its value.
• Target market: The target market section should explain the ideal customer for your products. Your marketing activities will be focused on this type of customer, so it should be the most profitable customer to serve. You can easily express what your target market is by creating buyer personas.
• Direct competitors: Direct competitors are businesses that offer exactly the same type of product you do and also serve the same target market. For this reason, you should use your unique value proposition to differentiate from them. Think about two different brands of soda. They offer the exact same product to the same market, at the same place.
• Indirect competitors: Indirect competitors are businesses that offer substitute products to your target market, which means they don’t offer the same product as you do, but their product could also be used to satisfy the same customer need. Now think about butter and margarine. While the product isn’t exactly the same, it can be purchased by customers to satisfy the same need.
• SWOT analysis: SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A SWOT analysis is a very important part of a business plan because it allows you to do a quick assessment of your current competitive position by looking at the internal strengths and weaknesses of your business while also considering any opportunities and threats from the external environment, such as the risk of new competitors or the opportunity of an underserved market.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

The purpose of this section is to explain how your company will market the product to your customers. It uses the 4 Ps of marketing as the guiding principle.

• Product: Explain what your product is, how it works and how it’s meant to be used. Also, explain some of the main attributes or features that make it superior to other products on the market. This can be anything such as lower production costs , durability or ease of use.
• Price: Pricing is an important part of your marketing strategy. Use this template to indicate your estimated profit margin along with a general description of the expected costs.
• Place: Place simply refers to two main things. Your sales channels, which are the methods you use to sell your product, such as online e-commerce platforms or brick-and-mortar locations and your distribution channels, which are the methods of transportation you’ll use to bring your product from the production line to the final customer.
• Promotion: Use this section to explain the various methods you’ll use to advertise your product, such as websites, social media platforms or traditional methods such as TV, newspaper or radio ads.

Operational Plan

This section should provide a quick overview of how your business will operate by outlining the following areas:

• Day-to-day operations: Briefly explain how your business will serve customers or manufacture products. The goal is to provide a quick overview of the daily operations of your business for stakeholders and investors.
• Supply chain: Every business needs to purchase raw materials, parts and components to deliver products or services to its target market. Use this section to explain the key steps in your supply chain , and who are your key suppliers.
• Permits and regulatory compliance: Use this section to list any permits or regulatory compliance standards your products should meet, if any.

Financial Projections

Use this section to attach any financial documents you might have. If you’re starting a new business you can use financial forecasts. Here are some of the financial documents you can include.

• Income statements
• Balance sheets
• Cash flow statements
• Capital expenditure budgets
• Cost forecasts
• Gross profit projections
• Profit & loss statement
• Projected balance sheet

In addition to these documents, it’s advisable to include an exit strategy. The exit strategy is a contingency plan that’s executed to minimize losses for investors and business owners in the event of bankruptcy or if the business must be terminated at some point. Use this section to briefly explain how you’d execute your exit strategy.

Management Team and Key Personnel

It helps to build confidence and give investors a sense of the risk they’re dealing with if you can provide profiles of your executive and management team. In fact, anyone who will be instrumental in executing the business plan should be included. Their skills and experience can go a long way to realizing your business plan.

Legal Structure

Last but not least, use this section to explain whether your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or any other type of legal structure.

While you can decide how thorough you want your business plan to be, the more details you provide the better, as a detailed business plan can reveal significant flaws in your business model. Business planning flaws such as ignoring industry trends can cost your company money, or could even lead to bankruptcy, so it’s important that you take your time when making a business plan.

Why Should You Use a Business Plan Template?

The main reason for a business plan template is to show off your idea in the best possible way to attract investors by collecting the points that show why your business, product or service is viable.

The other reason is that nothing is possible without a plan. Launching a new business, product or service is a project, and a project without a plan is like a boat without a rudder. It might not sink, but it’s unlikely to get where you want it to go.

There are more detailed reasons to take the time and effort required to fill in our business plan template. For example, a bank and investors won’t let you in the door without a business plan. The same is true for any potential partners.

On top of that, the template provides broad strokes as to how to implement your idea . This is vitally important if you sway your investors and need to make the plan a reality.

Once you have investors on board, you need to turn your business plan into a viable project. Project management software like ProjectManager can help. Our Gantt charts can organize tasks, track costs, allocate resources and more. Plus, live dashboards give you a high-level view of performance to catch issues before they become problems. With project management software, you can plan, track and report on everything that matters. We’ll help you make your business plan a successful venture.

When Should You Use This Free Business Plan Template for Word?

You should use a business plan template when you’re getting ready to shop your idea for the bank, investors or a partner. Before using our template, you’ll want to have done all the necessary due diligence.

In other words, once you have an idea for the business, product or service, you need to do market research to see where it fits in the larger commercial landscape. Then, you’ll need to figure out how much capital you’ll need to realize the idea.

Once you have all the work done for your proposal, then you can start the process of filling in the business plan template. The more thorough your preparation, the more convincing your plan and the more likely you’ll get it off the ground.

Who Should Use This Free Business Plan Template for Word?

Anyone who is planning to run a business needs to use our business plan template. It’s your roadmap  and provides you with a plan forward by outlining objectives, establishing priorities and more.

You’ll also need this business plan template if you already have an established business and are looking for buyers to sell it to. This is also true if you’re looking to determine the value of your business says for taxes or estate planning.

How to Track the Execution of Your Business Plan With ProjectManager

ProjectManager is award-winning software that helps you organize your plan and execute it more effectively. Once you’ve filled in your business plan template, the real work begins. Our tool helps you create a schedule and manage your resources to successfully deliver your plan.

Gantt Charts to Plan

Use our Gantt chart project view to input your tasks or import the task list from any spreadsheet. You can also use one of the many industry-specific templates loaded into the tool to get you started. Then add durations for your tasks and they’ll populate the timeline side of the Gantt, giving you a full picture of the plan laid out chronologically.

Dashboards to Track Progress

When you execute your plan, you need to monitor its actual progress to make sure you’re on track. Our real-time dashboard collects status updates and automatically monitors your schedule, costs and other vital metrics, displaying them in easy-to-read graphs and charts. This high-level view helps you catch issues before they become problems.

Reports for Your Stakeholders

Keeping executives and other stakeholders in the loop is important. One-click reporting makes it simple to get data on the performance of your plan as it’s executed and then share those reports. They can even be filtered to give stakeholders the only information they want.

There’s so much more that ProjectManager does to make sure your plan is a success. From unlimited file storage to resource and team management, we allow you to make your business plan and implement it successfully.

What Other Free Excel Templates Can Help You Build a Business Plan?

Our business plan template collects a lot of information, but in order to have a thought-through plan, you’ll want to use some of the other free project management templates we have free on our website.

Project Charter Template

For your plan to work, you need to have a project charter. Our free project charter template helps you figure out the scope of your project, identify objectives and deliverables and even start figuring out the tasks, resources and costs for the work to come.

Statement of Work Template

The statement of work outlines the course of your project plan, including activities, deliverables and the timetable. It defines these essential components of any plan and acts as the first step in your journey to creating a project plan. The free statement of work (SOW) template lays it all out for you.

Project Proposal Template

Before the plan comes the proposal. It’s the pitch to get your project approved so you can then create a plan. The free project proposal template sets the stage and all you have to do is add the details. When approved you have already made the first step towards a plan, which makes it that much easier.

Related Business Planning Resources

If you’re looking for more information about business and planning, then check out the resources page on our website. We have tutorial videos, blog posts and guides that address every aspect of project management. Here are just a few relevant articles.

• 15 Free Word and Excel Templates for Business 
• Strategic Planning in Business
• Why You Need a Reliable Business Continuity Plan
• How to Choose a Project Planner That’s Right for You

ProjectManager is an online tool that gives you real-time data to make better decisions when managing your project. Organize your teams, help them collaborate and drive your project more efficiently to a successful end. Join the tens of thousands of teams that already use ProjectManager and take your free 30-day trial today.

Start your free 30-day trial

Deliver faster, collaborate better, innovate more effectively — without the high prices and months-long implementation and extensive training required by other products.

Wealth Management Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Wealth Management Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their wealth management companies. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a wealth management business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your wealth management business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a wealth management business or grow your existing wealth management company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your wealth management business to improve your chances of success. Your wealth management business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Wealth Management Businesses

With regard to funding, the main sources of funding for a wealth management business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for wealth management companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a wealth management business.

If you want to start a wealth management business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your wealth management business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of wealth management business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a wealth management business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a franchise of wealth management businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the wealth management industry.
• Discuss the type of wealth management business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of wealth management business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of wealth management businesses:

• Personal Financial Planning and Advice: As the most common form of wealth management, this type of advisory service includes an assessment of financial needs and decisions on investments.
• Asset Management and Allocation: This type of wealth management business assists with maximizing and protecting wealth over the long-term.
• Estate Planning: Wealth management advisory services include oversight of assets, investing for the future and protecting assets.
• Tax Accounting: A tax accounting wealth management advisor oversees all assets and tax preparation, filings, estimates and other tax-related business items.

In addition to explaining the type of wealth management business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of clients, the total portfolio assets managed, reaching X number of wealth management referrals, etc.
• Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the wealth management industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the wealth management industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your wealth management business plan:

• How big is the wealth management industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your wealth management business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your wealth management business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, families, corporations, foundations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of wealth management business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regard to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, locations, occupations and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your Wealth Management Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other wealth management businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers may use that aren’t directly competing with your service. This includes tax accountants, online wealth-building services, and stock brokers. You need to mention such competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them, such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of wealth management business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• Do they offer any unique or special values for customers?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regard to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And, don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for family trust management?
• Will you offer management services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service than those of your competitors?
• Will you offer packaged services for corporations?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a wealth management business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of wealth management company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide free initial consultations, guaranteed profits on certain assets, or yearly analysis at low to no cost?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your wealth management company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your wealth management business located in an upper socioeconomic location? Does your business offer amenities for special clients, such as season tickets to venues of their choice? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your wealth management marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in wealth-building periodicals
• Reach out to individuals via personal referrals
• Offer introductory meetings to corporations
• Engage in email marketing by blogging in a Q & A section
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your wealth management business, including answering calls, setting appointments, planning and providing services, billing clients, managing and maintaining accounts, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth new client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your wealth management business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your wealth management business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing wealth management businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a wealth management business or successfully running a small brokerage firm.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you book 5 wealth management clients per week and offer on-site monthly advisory services for corporations? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your wealth management business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a wealth management business:

• Cost of advisory online access to investment information
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of contracted clients you serve.

Writing a business plan for your wealth management business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the wealth management industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful wealth management business.

Wealth Management Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my wealth management business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your wealth management company business plan.

How Do You Start a Wealth Management Business?

Starting a Wealth Management business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Wealth Management Business
• Create Your Wealth Management Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Wealth Management Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Wealth Management Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Wealth Management Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Wealth Management Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Wealth Management Business Equipment
• Develop Your Wealth Management Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Wealth Management Business
• Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

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OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan services can give you a winning business plan.

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Top 7 Business Management Plan Examples with Templates and Samples

When Dropbox was founded in 2007, it faced stiff competition in the crowded cloud storage market. The company's co-founders, Drew Houston, and Arash Ferdowsi, developed a thorough business management plan that outlined their goals, strategies, and financial projections.

With the plan as their guide, the duo managed to secure funding and created a product that was simple, reliable, and easy to use.

As Dropbox grew, Houston and Ferdowsi continued to refine their business management plan, using it as a roadmap for achieving their goals and navigating challenges. The plan helped them prioritize high-quality products and customer service standards. 

Craft a Winning Business Plan with Slideteam's Professionally Designed Templates!

Our PPT Templates are invaluable tools for entrepreneurs and business owners aspiring to create effective business management plans. Use these templates to integrate and manage your thoughts and ideas logically and coherently, making it easier to communicate your plan to others, such as investors and lenders. 

Browse the pre-designed templates below to unlock your business potential! 

Each of the templates is 100% editable and customizable. The content-ready nature offers you the starting point, the  editability feature offers you the flexibility to adapt to audience profile and needs. 

Let’s take a tour of the templates now!

Template 1: Agenda Checklist Business Management Planning Strategy Marketing

Your diverse business needs this PPT Template to create a comprehensive and effective marketing plan, considering all the critical elements of business management planning, strategy development, and execution. You can have up to four bulleted points highlighted using this presentation template. The idea is to give the heading, followed by a brief description of it. For instance, it could be resources, the goals, the cost involved and the timeline for the business project under consideration.  

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Template 2: Venn with Five Circles Business Management Planning

A Venn diagram with five circles illustrates the relationships and intersections between five distinct sets or categories. With this template presentation, you can accomplish this. Visualize and understand the interdependencies between aspects of business management that interact to create a profitable result for your company. Showcase your expertise in how strategy, finance, marketing, operations, and human resources overlap and influence each other. This insight lets you consider broader implications and connections when making decisions or implementing changes.

Template 3: Org Structure Icon for Business Management Planning

This PPT design addresses how your company operates and how units and employees are organized. Download this template to discuss and clarify the roles and responsibilities of individuals and groups, facilitate efficient coordination and collaboration, and enable effective management of resources. The idea, as always, is to ensure that organizational priorities figure in the business management plan that is finally prepared and outlined.  

Template 4: Business Management Plan Executive Overview

The strategic objectives and goals, performance metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) are crucial factors that must be defined while designing a business plan. You can convert these important aspects using this Business Management Plan PPT Layout on a single slide. This template assists you in aligning the company's mission and vision with specific strategies and initiatives. Plus, it enables executives to assess strategies and initiatives potential impact, risks, and benefits. The segment that presents financial KPIs in color-coded bar graphs is the USP of this presentation template. Get it now!

Template 5: Matrix Business Management Planning Strategy Marketing Planning

Analyze market segments based on customer demographics, needs, preferences, and profitability using this matrix template design. This layout can assist you in making decisions on product development, resource allocation, and divestment. Download this template using the link below to create a visually appealing sketch of a comprehensive and comparative analysis. 

Template 6: Quotes Business Management Planning Strategy Marketing Communication

Use this PPT design to inspire and engage the audience with motivational messages, thought-provoking ideas, or words of wisdom. Quote templates are valuable for enhancing communication and presentations. Use this slide in newsletters, reports, or speeches to provide impactful and memorable statements to support your critical business messages and themes.

Template 7: Mind Map Knowledge Business Management Planning Strategy Planning

With this visually-appealing mind map PPT Slide, you can organize and represent your business information, ideas, and knowledge in a hierarchical and interconnected manner. Evoke a central topic in the center of the mind map and create branches radiating from it. Use colors, font sizes, and visual hierarchy to create this model of a mind map. Use the link below to download this adaptable slide to comprehend information more effectively.

Template 8: Repeating Process for Business Management Planning

Adopt a professional, systematic approach where specific steps or actions are carried out on a recurring basis to ensure effective and continuous planning. Implement a cyclical or iterative process to review and evaluate existing business management plans. This PPT Template assists you in tracking progress, monitoring results, and creating a historical record for reference and future analysis. The six-step process outlined that starts with formulation of organizational goals and ends with monitoring plans is the USP. 

Charting a Course for Success Using SlideTeam's Business Management Plan Templates

With a clear roadmap and actionable strategies, a business management plan empowers you to make informed decisions, navigate complexities, and keep ahead of the competition. From market analysis to resource allocation, it provides a framework that aligns your business goals with targeted execution. Ignite success, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable profitability using the above presentation templates!

PS Unleash your strategic genius with this dynamic planning guide , the secret weapon to propel your business toward extraordinary success.

FAQs on Business Management Plan

What is a business management plan.

A business management plan is a crisp and strategic document delineating the goals, stratagems, and actions required to effectively manage a business. It performs a roadmap role for decision-making and resource allocation. For example, a business management plan for a new restaurant would include objectives like achieving a specific number of customers and revenue targets, along with strategies for menu development, marketing, and staff training. It provides a framework for organizing operations, setting priorities, and tracking progress toward business goals. The aim is to ensure a cohesive and focused approach to managing the business.

How do you write a business management plan?

Writing a business management plan involves carefully crafting a comprehensive roadmap for success. Firstly, provide an overview of your business, highlighting its mission, values, and unique selling proposition. Conduct a thorough market analysis, identifying target audiences, competition, and market trends. Define your product or service offerings, focusing on their benefits and competitive advantages. Develop a solid marketing and sales strategy outlining reaching and attracting customers.Establish performance metrics and a monitoring system to track progress.

Furthermore, highlight your team's expertise and demonstrate a strong understanding of industry trends. Finally, ensure your plan is well-structured, visually appealing, and supported by relevant data and research. A thorough and well-written business management plan will serve as a valuable guide, helping you navigate challenges and achieve long-term success.

What are the seven steps of a business plan?

The seven steps of a business plan are: 

• Start with an executive summary. Summarizing your business concept, goals, and strategies. 
• Next, describe your business, target market, and competition in the market analysis section. 
• Now, outline your product or service offerings and demonstrate how they meet customer needs. 
• Build up a marketing and sales strategy to attract and retain customers. 
• Construct an organizational structure and delineate the jobs and responsibilities of key team members. 
• Present financial projections, including revenue, expenses, and funding requirements. 
• Lastly, conclude with a thorough risk analysis and mitigation strategies. 

What is an example of a management plan?

Objective: Enhance customer service to improve satisfaction, loyalty, and brand reputation.

• Training and Development: Implement a comprehensive training program to equip customer service representatives with modern skills, product knowledge, and effective communication techniques.
• Service Standards: Define clear service standards and expectations to deliver exceptional customer experiences consistently. Implement modern customer service tools and technologies for efficient issue resolution.
• Feedback and Evaluation: Implement a feedback system to capture customer insights, measure satisfaction levels, and identify areas for improvement. Use modern survey tools and sentiment analysis to gather and analyze feedback effectively.
• Personalization and Relationship Building: Develop personalized customer interactions, leveraging modern CRM systems and data-driven insights. Implement loyalty programs, targeted offers, and customized communication to foster long-term relationships.
• Omni-Channel Support: Offer support across multiple channels, including phone, email, live chat, and social media. Use modern customer service platforms to ensure seamless and efficient service delivery.
• Empowerment and Autonomy: Empower customer service representatives to make autonomous decisions, resolving customer issues promptly and effectively. Provide them with modern tools and resources for efficient problem-solving.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze customer service metrics, identify trends, and implement process improvements. Encourage a culture of ongoing learning and innovation to enhance service quality.

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Waste Management Business Plan

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Waste Management Business Plan?

Writing a waste management business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

Market Opportunity:

Waste management services:.

Highlight the waste management services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information:

Describe what kind of waste management company you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following waste management businesses:

• Recycling centers
• Waste collection & hauling
• Composting facilities
• Hazardous waste management
• Waste-to-energy plants
• Landfill management
• Solid waste management
• Medical waste management
• Waste-consulting & advisory services
• Describe the legal structure of your waste management business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

If you’re an established waste management service provider, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.

Future Goals

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential:

Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

Competitive Analysis:

Market trends:.

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your waste management business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your services:

Mention the waste management services your business will offer. This list may include services like,

• Waste collection services
• Recycling services
• Composting services
• Waste-to-energy

Describe each service:

Provide a detailed description of each service you provide and the types of that particular service you provide.

Quality measures:

This section should explain how you maintain quality standards and consistently provide the highest quality service.

Additional Services:

In short, this section of your waste management plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Pricing Strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your waste management business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your waste management business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Operational process:, equipment & machinery:.

Include the list of equipment and machinery required for waste management, such as waste collecting vehicles, waste sorting & processing equipment, recycling equipment, hazardous waste handling equipment, landfill equipment, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your waste management business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.

This section should describe the key personnel for your waste management services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your waste management business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample waste management business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful waste management plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our waste management business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a waste management business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful waste management business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your waste management company.

How to get funding for your waste management business?

There are several ways to get funding for your waste management business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your waste management business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your waste management business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your waste management business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any waste management business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

How do I write a good market analysis in a waste management business plan?

Market analysis is one of the key components of your business plan that requires deep research and a thorough understanding of your industry. We can categorize the process of writing a good market analysis section into the following steps:

• Stating the objective of your market analysis—e.g., investor funding.
• Industry study—market size, growth potential, market trends, etc.
• Identifying target market—based on user behavior and demographics.
• Analyzing direct and indirect competitors.
• Calculating market share—understanding TAM, SAM, and SOM.
• Knowing regulations and restrictions
• Organizing data and writing the first draft.

Writing a marketing analysis section can be overwhelming, but using ChatGPT for market research can make things easier.

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a waste management business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your waste management business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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• Getting Started with Your Project Management Implementation

Overview of Project Financial Management and Grants Management Offerings

In the Project Financial Management and Grants Management business process areas, your enterprise can configure how you manage projects, including how to plan, budget, or forecast, manage awards, collect costs, bill customers, manage project templates and flexfields, and report performance.

Before you begin, use the Setup and Maintenance work area to access reports for each offering, including full lists of setup tasks, the functional areas and features that you can select when you configure the offering, and business objects and enterprise applications that are associated with the offering.

The first implementation step is to configure the offering in the Setup and Maintenance work area by selecting the offering, functional areas, and features that you want to make available to implement.

This table describes the project-related functional areas for the Project Financial Management and Grants Management offerings.

The following functional areas are also in the Project Financial Management and Grants Management offerings, but aren't unique to these offerings:

Initial Users

Enterprise Profile

Legal Structures

Financial Reporting Structures

Organization Structures

Workforce Structures

Users and Security

Transaction Tax

Transactional Business Intelligence

Optionally, create one or more implementation projects for the offerings, functional areas, and features that you want to implement first, which generates task lists for each project. The application implementation manager can configure the task list and assign and track each task.

This table lists the group of tasks that are available to you when you enable all functional areas and features.

Alternatively, you can use the rapid implementation feature to set up the Project Financial Management or Grants Management offerings by populating and loading the Rapid Implementation for Project Financial Management Applications macro-enabled Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet has a worksheet for key setup object or group of setup objects. The setup includes key business objects and tasks such as, resources, burdening, and subledger accounting. The Setup and Maintenance work area has a specific task list for rapid implementation. The Define Project Financial Management Configuration for Rapid Implementation task list includes tasks to download a new spreadsheet and to load the setup data. For more information on the rapid implementation feature, see the chapter Rapid Implementation of Project Financial Management Applications in the Oracle Project Portfolio Management Cloud Implementing Project Financial Management guide.

This table lists the Rapid Implementation tasks included in the Define Project Financial Management Configuration for Rapid Implementation task list.

After uploading the spreadsheet, the Project Financial Management or Grants Management application is fully configured and ready for you to create project templates and to enter transactions. You can upload the spreadsheet multiple times during the initial implementation until your setup is finalized.

Refer the following guides for more information:

Securing ERP

Implementing Common Features

Using Functional Setup Manager

Portal login

Cyber Security Incident Response Planning: Practitioner Guidance

Content written for

Attachments.

• PROTECT - Cyber Security Incident Response Planning: Practitioner Guidance (April 2024) 2.51MB .pdf

Introduction

Australian organisations are continually targeted by malicious actors, with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) assessing that malicious cyber activity against Australia’s national and economic interests is increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication. As malicious actors become more adept, the likelihood and severity of cyber attacks is also increasing due to the interconnectivity and availability of information technology (IT) platforms, devices and systems exposed to the internet.

Managing responses to cyber security incidents is the responsibility of affected organisations. As such, all organisations should have a Cyber Security Incident Response Plan (CSIRP) to ensure an effective response and prompt recovery in the event that system controls do not prevent a cyber security incident from occurring. This plan should be regularly tested and reviewed.

To be effective, a CSIRP should align with organisations’ emergency, crisis and business continuity arrangements, as well as jurisdictional and national cyber and emergency arrangements. It should support personnel to fulfil their roles by outlining their responsibilities and all legal and regulatory obligations.

While organisations are responsible for managing cyber security incidents affecting their business, Australia’s Cyber Incident Management Arrangements outline the inter-jurisdictional coordination arrangements and principles when responding to national cyber security incidents.

This guidance (which acts as a CSIRP Template) and the Cyber Security Incident Response Readiness Checklist ( Appendix B ) are intended to be used as a starting point for organisations to develop their own CSIRP and readiness checklists. Each organisation’s CSIRP and checklist will need to be tailored according to their own unique operating environment, priorities, resources and obligations.

In addition to a CSIRP, organisations can develop more detailed day-to-day processes and procedures to supplement the CSIRP. This could include detailed playbooks to aid in the response to common types of cyber security incidents, such as ransomware or data breaches, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to respond to cyber security incidents affecting specific assets.

Using this guidance

This guidance is designed to assist organisations in the development of their own CSIRP as part of cyber security incident response planning activities. As part of this guidance, a separate CSIRP Template is available for organisations to fill in with some fields containing example text for demonstrative purposes. Note, the CSIRP Template is not exhaustive. Each organisation’s CSIRP should be tailored according to their own unique operating environment, priorities, resources and obligations.

Acknowledgements

This guidance was created using multiple resources. ASD acknowledges the following resources used in its development:

• ASD Information Security Manual
• Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Prudential Practice Guide CPG 234 Information Security
• CSIRP Template developed by the Australian Energy Sector Readiness and Resilience Working Group in 2019, specifically with support from the Australian Energy Market Operator, Tasmanian Department of State Growth, the Victorian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet and ASD
• Queensland Government Incident Management Guideline
• Victorian Government Cyber Incident Management Plan and Cyber Incident Response Plan Template
• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency Federal Government Cybersecurity Incident and Vulnerability Response Playbooks
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-61 Rev. 2, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 27035-1:2023, Information technology – Information security incident management – Part 1: Principles and process
• ISO/IEC 27035-2:2023, Information technology – Information security incident management – Part 2: Guidelines to plan and prepare for incident response
• ISO/IEC 27035-3:2020, Information technology – Information security incident management – Part 3: Guidelines for ICT incident response operations .

Contact details

If you have any questions regarding this guidance you can write to us or call us on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).

Authority and review

Include information about the document owner, document reviewer, approver, version control and date of next review or other thresholds to review the CSIRP. For example, a CSIRP could be reviewed on a time bound basis, such as bi-annually or annually. A CSIRP could also be reviewed when implementing changes following a cyber security incident, a cyber security exercise or organisational shifts. Finally, a CSIRP could be reviewed following changes to relevant policies, plans, legislation, regulation or jurisdictional arrangements.

Document control and review

Version control, purpose and objectives.

Include the purpose and objectives of the CSIRP.

To support a swift and effective response to cyber security incidents aligned with the organisation’s security and business objectives.

• To provide guidance on the steps required to respond to cyber security incidents.
• To outline the roles, responsibilities, accountabilities and authorities of personnel and teams required to manage responses to cyber security incidents.
• To outline legal and regulatory compliance requirements for cyber security incidents.
• To outline internal and external communication processes when responding to cyber security incidents.
• To provide guidance on post cyber security incident activities to support continuous improvement.

Standards and frameworks

Include the relevant standards and frameworks used to inform the CSIRP.

• Information Security Manual
• Prudential Practice Guide CPG 234 Information Security
• Australian Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework
• New South Wales Government Cyber Security Incident Emergency Sub Plan
• South Australian Government Cyber Security Incident Management
• Tasmanian Government Incident Management Cyber Security Standard
• Victorian Government Cyber Incident Management Plan
• Western Australian Government Cyber Security Incident Coordination Framework
• NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
• ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023, Information technology – Information security incident management – Part 1: Principles and process

High level cyber security incident response process

Include a summary of the cyber security incident response process.

Common cyber security incidents and responses

Include commonly used terms and their definitions. A list of commonly used terms and definitions is provided at Appendix A .

Common threat vectors

Include a summary of common threat vectors.

Common cyber security incidents

Include a summary of common cyber security incident types and the initial response activities.

Roles and responsibilities

Include details of the roles and responsibilities of core personnel and teams responsible for cyber security incident response and decision making. At a minimum, include the personnel responsible for receiving the initial notification, the operational level Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) and the strategic level Senior Executive Management Team (SEMT).

All personnel listed should be familiar with their responsibilities in the CSIRP and have practise their response.

Points of contact for reporting cyber security incidents

Include details about primary and secondary internal points of contact for personnel or stakeholders to report cyber security incidents to over a 24/7 period.

Cyber Security Incident Response Team

Include details of the CSIRT personnel responsible for managing responses to cyber security incidents. The composition of the CSIRT will vary depending on the size of an organisation and available skills and resources.

Include details of any 3rd party vendors that provide or manage systems, services and/or networks. If applicable, include details of external cyber security incident response providers and the services they provide.

Other CSIRT roles could include system administrators, network engineers, change managers, internal auditors, legal advisors, finance and procurement specialists, and administration and recording keeping personnel.

Surge arrangements

Include process for implementing surge arrangements, the resources involved in those arrangements and thresholds for triggering those surge arrangements. Surge arrangements can include, but are not limited to people, hardware, software and financial resources.

Senior Executive Management Team

Significant cyber security incidents may require the formation of the SEMT to provide strategic oversight, direction and support to the CSIRT, with a focus on:

• strategic issues identification and management
• stakeholder engagement and communications (including Board and ministerial liaison, if applicable)
• resource and capability demand (including urgent logistics or finance requirements, and human resources considerations during response effort).

Include details of the SEMT responsible for managing responses to cyber security incidents. The composition and roles of the SEMT may vary depending on the cyber security incident impact and size and structure of an organisation, as some roles may not be relevant or multiple roles may be held by the same individual.

Include a diagram picturing the relationship between the key personnel and teams involved in cyber security incident response. For example, the below diagram is taken from the Queensland Government Incident Management Guideline .

Communications

Include the process for managing internal and external communications. Be prepared to:

• support the CSIRT and SEMT communications requirements
• How will the customer helpdesk manage enquiries and be supported?
• How will the IT helpdesk (or equivalent) manage enquiries and be supported?
• What communication channels are available to affected customers (e.g. telephone hotline, information on the website or social media)?
• Who has the primary responsibility for authorising and speaking on behalf of the organisation? How will this person be supported?
• Who has responsibility for producing and approving information for release to the public and media?
• monitor news media, social media and other forms of media and use it to support communications.

Include details for backup communication channels to communicate with stakeholders and customers.

Internal communications

Include the process and expected timeframes to communicate relevant cyber security incident information to personnel (for example, system users, customer service teams, senior executives and the Board).

In internal messaging, consider how to inform personnel about the cyber security incident and support business continuity. Consider providing:

• a brief summary of the cyber security incident and business impact
• actions currently being undertaken to resolve the cyber security incident
• actions personnel can take to assist
• business continuity options for personnel who are affected by the cyber security incident
• messaging for external stakeholders
• key points of contact for enquiries
• expected timeframes for further updates.

External communications

Include the process and timeframes to communicate relevant cyber security incident information to external stakeholders and customers.

Depending on the impact and severity of the cyber security incident, it may be necessary to communicate with:

• stakeholders required to support with cyber security incident response activities such as government bodies, third party cyber security incident response, law enforcement, insurance providers and/or sector organisations
• the media and customers seeking information about the cyber security incident, such as the general public, government bodies, clients, shareholders, suppliers and/or sector organisations.

In external messaging, consider how to inform external stakeholders and customers about the cyber security incident based upon their role or interest. Consider:

• systems, services or networks affected
• steps being taken to resolve the cyber security incident
• who is supporting cyber security incident remediation activities
• any options or actions for stakeholders affected by the cyber security incident to take

Consider supporting requests for information from interested sector and government bodies following the cyber security incident for the purpose of information sharing and learning from the experience.

Supporting procedures and playbooks

Supporting procedures.

Include a list of SOPs developed to support cyber security incident response, and their physical and electronic locations. Examples of SOPs are:

• event detection, triage and analysis
• post cyber security event/incident detection or notification
• cyber security incident detection, investigation and analysis
• cyber security incident containment, remediation and recovery
• Communications Plan (internal and external)
• Emergency Management Plan
• Crisis Management Plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Disaster Recovery Plan.

Supporting playbooks

Playbooks are documents that are intended to contain easy to follow instructions to assist in ensuring all appropriate steps are taken when responding to specific types of cyber security incidents. Include a list of playbooks and their physical and electronic locations. Example cyber security incidents that may have a playbook are:

• Cyber Security Incident Response Playbook – Phishing
• Cyber Security Incident Response Playbook – Data Breach/Theft
• Cyber Security Incident Response Playbook – Malware
• Cyber Security Incident Response Playbook – Ransomware
• Cyber Security Incident Response Playbook – Denial of Service.

Sector, jurisdictional and national cyber security incident response arrangements

Include information about the relevant sector, state and/or territory and national arrangements for cyber security incident related activities, including, but not limited to, notification, reporting and/or seeking additional support.

The CSIRP could include a process chart of when to report cyber security incidents to relevant government bodies and/or seek assistance.

Sector arrangements

Include information about the relevant sector arrangements and the process for implementing these arrangements.

Jurisdictional arrangements

Each state/territory jurisdiction has its own cyber security incident response arrangements. Organisations should contact the relevant government body in their jurisdiction to understand the arrangements that apply.

Include information about the process for reporting to and/or seeking assistance from state/territory law enforcement.

National arrangements

Include information about the process for reporting to and/or seeking assistance from Federal Government bodies. For example, Australia’s Cyber Incident Management Arrangements outline the inter-jurisdictional coordination arrangements and principles when responding to national cyber security incidents.

Examples of potential national cyber security incidents include:

• an organisation with links across multiple jurisdictions being compromised through a cyber security incident
• malicious cyber activity affecting critical national infrastructure where the consequences have the potential to cause sustained disruption of essential services or threaten national security
• malicious cyber activity where the cause and potential extent of its geographic impact is uncertain
• a large-scale breach of sensitive data affecting persons or organisations in multiple jurisdictions.

ASD leads the Australian Government’s response to cyber security incidents. For information on how to report cyber security incidents to ASD, and to seek advice and assistance, visit ASD’s reporting website .

Appendix C lists some of the common triage questions ASD will use to assess the severity of a reported cyber security incident.

Cyber security incident notification and reporting

Include internal and external processes for cyber security incident notification and reporting. Consider sector, state/territory and national cyber security incident notification and reporting obligations.

Include details about who is responsible for cyber security incident notification and reporting to external entities.

Legal and regulatory requirements

Include details about any legal and regulatory obligations, such as contractual and legislative reporting requirements. Work with any compliance and legal personnel to ensure the CSIRP covers all relevant requirements, noting that different cyber security incidents may require different or multiple legal and regulatory responses.

The CSIRP could include a process chart of when to report cyber security incidents to relevant government bodies, regulators and other external parties.

Include relevant details about any insurance policies for cyber security incidents.

Detection, investigation, analysis and activation

Include the decision making framework for activating the CSIRP.

Detecting cyber security incidents

Cyber security incidents could be detected in several ways, including, but not limited to:

• self-detected (e.g. via Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems)
• notifications received from service providers or vendors
• notifications received from trusted third parties, such as ASD.

Cyber security incident classification

Include the framework and decision making process for classifying a cyber security incident. This can assist with prioritising resources. Classification factors could include:

• effects of the cyber security incident (confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems and their resources)
• stakeholders affected (internal and external)
• cyber security incident type
• impact on the business and community.

For information about the ASD Cyber Security Incident Categorisation Matrix see Appendix K .

Cyber Security Incident Response Team activation

Include the decision making framework for activating the CSIRT. This could align with the cyber security incident classification framework. Note, some smaller cyber security incidents may be manageable without activation of the CSIRT.

Logistics and communications

Include core logistical and communications protocols and mechanisms used to support cyber security incident response. For example:

• operations room/security operations centre (SOC) location and setup
• equipment required for offsite cyber security incident response
• communications technologies such as phone/teleconference/online dial-in details and out-of-band communications (e.g. Slack or other similar applications).

Investigation questions

To guide cyber security incident response efforts, and understanding of the scope and impact of the cyber security incident, develop a list of investigation questions. Note, not all questions may be answerable with the data available and questions may change as investigations progress.

Possible investigation questions include:

• What was the initial intrusion vector?
• What post-exploitation activity occurred? Have accounts been compromised? What level of privilege was involved?
• Does the malicious actor have persistence on systems, services or networks?
• Is lateral movement suspected or known? Where has the malicious actor laterally moved to and how?
• How is the malicious actor maintaining command and control?
• Has data been accessed or exfiltrated and, if so, what kind of data?

Escalation and de-escalation

Include the escalation and de-escalation triggers and/or thresholds and decision making authorities.

Containment, evidence collection and remediation

Containment.

Containment actions are implemented in order to minimise damage, prevent the cyber security incident from spreading or escalating, and prevent malicious actors from destroying evidence.

When planning containment actions, consider:

• any additional impacts there could be to systems, services or networks
• time and resources required to contain the cyber security incident
• effectiveness of the containment solution (e.g. partial vs full containment)
• duration that the containment solution will remain in place (e.g. temporary vs permanent solution).

Documentation

Include processes and procedures for documenting the cyber security incident, including responsible personnel and timeframes. Refer to Appendix D for a Situation Report Template and Appendix E for a Cyber Security Incident Log Template.

Situation Reports may contain the following information:

• cyber security incident date and time
• status of the cyber security incident
• cyber security incident type and classification
• cyber security incident scope and impact
• cyber security incident severity
• external assistance required
• actions taken to resolve the cyber security incident
• contact details for key CSIRT personnel
• date and time of the next update.

Evidence collection and preservation

Include processes and procedures for collecting, preserving, handling and storing evidence, including responsible personnel and timeframes. As this can be complex, if necessary, seek advice from digital forensic professionals, legal advisors or law enforcement.

When gathering evidence, maintain a detailed log that clearly documents how all evidence has been collected. This should include who collected or handled the evidence, the time and date (including time zone) evidence was collected and handled, and the details of each item collected (including the physical location, serial number, model number, hostname, media access control [MAC] address, Internet Protocol [IP] address and hash values). See Appendix F for a template.

Examples of commonly collected evidence include:

• hard drive/host images
• network packet captures and flows
• IP addresses
• network diagrams
• configuration files
• investigation notes
• screenshots
• social media posts
• close-circuit television, video and audio recordings.

Remediation Action Plan

Include processes and procedures for developing and implementing a Remediation Action Plan to resolve the cyber security incident following successful containment and evidence collection. See Appendix G for a template.

When developing the Remediation Action Plan, consider:

• What actions are required to resolve the cyber security incident?
• Are there additional external resources required?
• Who is responsible for remediation actions?
• What systems, services or networks should be prioritised?
• How will these systems, services or networks be affected?
• What is the expected resolution time?

Include processes and procedures for developing, authorising and executing an agreed Recovery Plan.

The Recovery Plan should detail the approach to recovering IT and/or operational technology (OT) systems, services and networks once containment and remediation is complete.

When developing the Recovery Plan, consider:

• How will systems, services and networks be restored to normal operation and in what timeframe?
• How will systems, services and networks be monitored to ensure they are no longer compromised and are functioning as expected?
• How will identified vulnerabilities be managed to prevent similar cyber security incidents from occurring in the future?

Include decision making processes and procedures for standing down the CSIRT and SEMT.

Include the processes and procedures for completing a Cyber Security Incident Report, including responsible personnel and timeframes. Consider creating a Cyber Security Incident Report Template as an appendix to the CSIRP.

Learn and improve

Include an approach to capture lessons learn from the cyber security incident.

Post cyber security incident review

A post cyber security incident review is a detailed review conducted after an organisation has experienced a cyber security incident. It can include a hot debrief which is held immediately after an organisation has recovered its systems, services or networks from a cyber security incident and/or a formal debrief held after the Cyber Security Incident Report has been completed, such as within two weeks.

Key questions to consider during a post cyber security incident review include:

• What were the root causes of the cyber security incident?
• Could the cyber security incident have been prevented? How?
• What worked well in the response to the cyber security incident?
• How could our response be improved for future cyber security incidents?

Refer to Appendix H for more detailed questions to consider in post cyber security incident reviews.

Recommendations that arise from the review can be documented in a corresponding Action Register. Refer to Appendix I for an Action Register Template.

PPOSTTE model

The PPOSTTE model can assist in reflecting on key elements of the cyber security incident response:

• People: Roles, responsibilities, accountabilities, skills.
• Process: Plans, policies, procedures, protocols, processes, templates, arrangements.
• Organisation: Structures, culture, jurisdictional arrangements.
• Support: Infrastructure, facilities, maintenance.
• Technology: Equipment, systems, standards, security, inter-operability.
• Training: Qualifications/skill levels, identification of required courses.
• Exercise management: Exercise development, structure, management, conduct.

Update and test Cyber Security Incident Response Plan

The post cyber security incident review may result in changes to the CSIRP, playbooks and templates. Changes should be communicated to the relevant personnel.

Significant changes may require the CSIRP, playbooks and templates to be tested. Regular testing is important to ensure these documents remain current and are familiar to relevant personnel. Testing methods could include tabletop exercises or functional exercises.

Include training activities, and associated support, required for personnel to effectively undertake their roles when responding to a cyber security incident.

The post cyber security incident review may identify additional specialised training for personnel involved in cyber security incident response or general cyber security awareness training for all personnel.

Appendix A – Terminology and definitions

Use of consistent and pre-defined terminology to describe cyber security incidents and their effects can be helpful as part of cyber security incident response planning.

Cyber threat

A cyber threat is any circumstance or event with the potential to harm systems or data.

Examples of cyber threats include (but are not limited to):

• business email compromise
• cyber supply chain compromise
• exploitation of vulnerabilities
• phishing emails and scams
• ransomware.

Cyber security alert

A cyber security alert is a notification generated in response to a deviation from normal behaviour. Cyber security alerts are used to highlight cyber security events.

Cyber security event

A cyber security event is an occurrence of a system, service or network state indicating a possible breach of security policy, failure of safeguards or a previously unknown situation that may be relevant to security.

Examples of cyber security events include (but are not limited to):

• a user has disabled the antivirus on their computer
• a user has deleted or modified system files
• a user restarted a server
• unauthorised access to a server or computer.

Cyber security incident

An unwanted or unexpected cyber security event, or a series of such events, that has either compromised business operations or has a significant probability of compromising business operations.

Examples of cyber security incidents include (but are not limited to):

• denial-of-service attacks
• unauthorised access or attempts to access a system
• compromise of sensitive data
• virus or malware outbreak (including ransomware).

Appendix B – Cyber Security Incident Response Readiness Checklist

This checklist is provided to aid the initial assessment of an organisation’s readiness to respond to a cyber security incident. This checklist is not an exhaustive list of all readiness activities.

Appendix C – ASD cyber security incident triage questions

Where applicable, personnel reporting cyber security incidents to ASD on behalf of their organisation should try to have information available to answer the following questions:

• Who is reporting the cyber security incident? (e.g. CISO, SOC Manager)
• Who/what is the affected organisation/entity?
• What type of cyber security incident is being reported? (e.g. ransomware, denial of service, data breach, malware)
• Is the cyber security incident still active?
• When was the cyber security incident first identified?
• If ASD assistance is required, what assistance is required?
• What type of system, service or network has been affected?
• effect/event
• Who or what identified the problem?
• What type of data was exposed?
• What volume of data was exposed?
• What impact will this have on your organisation?
• What impact (if any) will the data breach have on public safety or services?
• Was it a misconfiguration/error, or was a malicious exfiltration or theft of data identified?
• If applicable under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme , has it been reported to the OAIC?
• Are internal or external cyber security incident response providers involved?
• Are business as usual operations interrupted? If so, how long before operations will be back to normal?
• If so, please notify ASD beforehand if you will be referencing ASD.

Appendix D – Situation Report Template

Appendix e – cyber security incident log template, appendix f – evidence register template, appendix g – remediation action plan template, appendix h – post cyber security incident reviews.

A post cyber security incident review is a detailed review conducted after an organisation has experienced a cyber security incident. The content of the review will vary for each organisation, but primarily focuses on establishing learnings and providing recommended actions to mitigate future cyber security incidents. The purpose of this guide is to provide organisations that have experienced a cyber security incident with tools and techniques to conduct a post cyber security incident review.

How to use this guide

This guide contains high level steps recommended for organisations to follow after experiencing a cyber security incident. The guide should be used as a resource, and will need to be further tailored by organisations to suit their individual requirements. The templates provided are generic and will need to be tailored to suit specific organisational requirements.

Post cyber security incident review steps

Step 1 – hold cyber security incident debriefs.

Post cyber security incident debriefs are useful for capturing observations from personnel directly involved in managing a cyber security incident and identifying actions to improve how their organisation managed its response, as well as how the cyber security incident could have been prevented. There are two types of debriefs organisations may hold after experiencing a cyber security incident: a hot debrief and a formal debrief (also known as a cold debrief).

A hot debrief is held immediately after an organisation has recovered its systems, services or networks from a cyber security incident. The benefits of holding a hot debrief include:

• the team involved in responding to the cyber security incident can provide instant feedback and lessons learned
• any urgent issues identified during the cyber security incident can be addressed immediately
• personnel involved in the cyber security incident are more likely to recall information and detail as it is still fresh in their minds.

A formal debrief is held days to weeks after an organisation has recovered its systems, services or networks from a cyber security incident. The benefits of holding a formal debrief include:

• it provides an opportunity to discuss the cyber security incident in detail after it is resolved to gather key insights, learnings and opportunities for improvement
• it provides time between the cyber security incident and debrief allowing emotions to settle, particularly for stressful cyber security incidents
• it ensures all key personnel required for discussions are present, especially senior management who will need to drive the implementation of actions.

Hot debrief guidance

30 minutes – 1 hour.

The aim of the hot debrief is to review the cyber security incident, receive feedback on personnel observations and insights, and identify any urgent issues requiring immediate action.

Participants

The hot debrief should be led by a facilitator (such as a manager who was involved during the cyber security incident) and supported by a scribe whose role is to document attendance, key insights and immediate actions. It is recommended that hot debrief participants include all personnel involved during the detection, response and recovery phases of the cyber security incident, with upper management excluded (e.g. Chief Executive Officers and General Managers). This will ensure personnel involved in the cyber security incident can speak openly without fear of repercussion.

The facilitator could guide discussion using the following questions:

• What went well?
• What could we do differently next time to improve?
• What action has been taken to remediate immediate risk?
• Are there any further issues that require immediate resolution?

Note, it is essential for the facilitator to remain objective during the discussion, and treat the cyber security incident as a learning point for all involved, without attributing blame to an individual or team.

At the end of the hot debrief, the facilitator should provide a summary of the discussions to participants who can confirm whether the key issues and actions were captured. The facilitator should explain the next steps and the expected timeframes for these.

Formal debrief guidance

The aim of the formal debrief is to review the cyber security incident, validate what worked, and produce actions and assigned responsibilities to improve current arrangements.

The formal debrief should be led by a facilitator who asks key questions, supported by a scribe to document attendance, key insights and actions.

It is recommended that formal debrief participants include:

• technical personnel who were involved in detecting, responding to and resolving the cyber security incident
• non-technical personnel who were involved during the cyber security incident
• communications/media personnel involved in the cyber security incident.

Questions to consider in the formal debrief can be found in the Post Cyber Security Incident Review Analysis Template. The facilitator can use this guidance to lead the conversation with the participants while the scribe documents the discussion directly into the template. The scribe can also use the Action Register Template to document any actions resulting from the discussion.

At the end of the debrief, a decision should be made about whether additional discussions are required, or if finalisation of the cyber security incident documentation can be completed. If email correspondence is selected to disseminate the documentation, an action officer will need to be identified for completing them and circulating them to staff for endorsement.

Step 2 – Complete cyber security incident documentation

Based on the findings of the debriefs, the action officer should complete a draft of the Post Cyber Security Incident Review Analysis and the Action Register and circulate them to the personnel involved in the debrief for their feedback and endorsement. Note, it is important that the Action Register details an assigned lead (action officer) for closing out each action.

Once feedback is received and incorporated, documentation should be sent to an executive staff member (e.g. a Chief Executive Officer or General Manager) for endorsement. The executive staff member may advise their expectations on the frequency of progress reporting of agreed actions and nominate a person to lead tracking and reporting.

Step 3 – Cyber security incident tracking and reporting

The identified actions should be tracked and reported at agreed frequencies.

Post Cyber Security Incident Review Analysis Template

Cyber security incident analysis.

Cyber security incident analysis is broken into the following categories:

• Timeline: Summary of what happened and when. Provides high level areas for improvement.
• Protection: Identifies the control mechanisms that were in place at the time of the cyber security incident and their effectiveness. Establishes how to improve the protection of systems, services and networks.
• Detection: Establishes how to reduce the time to identify a cyber security incident. Addresses what detection mechanisms were in place and how those mechanisms could be improved.
• Response: Identifies improvements for the cyber security incident response.
• Recovery: Addresses improvements for cyber security incident recovery.

Appendix I – Action Register Template

Appendix j – role cards.

Example of a role card:

Appendix K – ASD Cyber Security Incident Categorisation Matrix

ASD categorises cyber security incidents by severity using a matrix that considers the:

• cyber effect (i.e. the impact, success, sustained and/or intent)
• significance (i.e. sensitivity of the organisation).

The severity of the cyber security incident informs the type and nature of cyber security incident response and crisis management arrangements that are activated. Depending on the severity of the cyber security incident, ASD has a suite of capabilities that it may deploy to support the affected parties. However, ASD determines which capabilities are appropriate and available given competing priorities. Organisations must not rely on ASD for their ability to respond to cyber security incidents in an appropriate and timely manner.

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