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A business plan consists of a narrative and several financial worksheets. This template will guide you in creating the body of a business plan. It contains more than 150 questions, divided into several sections. You may work through the sections in any order that you like, except for the Executive Summary, which should be done last. You may also skip any questions that do not apply to your type of business. There are also links to spreadsheets and other financial forms which you should use in completing your plan. When you are finished writing your first draft, you’ll have a collection of small essays on the various topics of a business plan, which can then be edited into a smooth-flowing narrative.

The real value of creating a business plan is not in having the finished product in hand. Rather, the value lies in the process of researching and thinking about your business in a systematic way. The act of planning helps you to think things through thoroughly, study and research if you are not sure of the facts, and look at your ideas critically. It takes time now, but avoids costly, perhaps disastrous, mistakes later.

This is not an easy task, taking several weeks to complete an adequate plan.  If you do the job properly, you'll never regret the effort.