Writing a Business Plan Checklist

15 items · Productivity · Hard difficulty · 2 hours

Plan your venture step-by-step with this practical business plan checklist.

• Draft a one-page executive summary

  Summarize purpose, product, market, key metrics, and funding request in one page.

• Describe company, legal structure, and vision

  State legal form, mission, short-term objectives, and long-term goals.

• Conduct market research

  Collect data to validate demand and customer needs.

• Identify target customer segments

  Define demographics, behaviors, and primary pain points for each segment.

• Analyze market size, trends, and demand

  Estimate TAM, SAM, SOM and note growth drivers or barriers.

• Perform competitor analysis

  List direct/indirect competitors and compare strengths, pricing, and gaps.

• Define your unique value proposition

  State clearly why customers choose you over alternatives.

• Outline products and services and pricing tiers

  Describe core offerings, benefits, and proposed price points or models.

• Develop revenue model and pricing assumptions

  Document revenue streams, unit economics, and key pricing assumptions.

• Map operational plan: processes, suppliers, and milestones

  Outline production, delivery, key partners, and 6–12 month milestones.

• Define organizational structure and hiring plan

  List key roles, responsibilities, and hiring timeline.

• Build financial projections (P&L, cash flow, balance sheet)

  Project 3–5 years with clear assumptions for revenue and costs.

• Run break-even and sensitivity analyses

  Test how revenue, costs, or price changes affect profitability.

• Assess risks and draft mitigation strategies

  Identify top risks (market, financial, operational) and contingency plans.

• Compile appendix and supporting documents

  Attach market data, resumes, contracts, and important references.

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