Making a business plan outline will allow a potential business owner to focus his or her business plan, and then cover all the required bases. Here is a comprehensive list of what should be included in this plan outline.

Business Plan Outline

1. Cover Sheet
2. Executive Summary
3. Table of Contents

Section One: Organization

• Description of the business
• Products and services that will be provided
• Intellectual property ownership
• Location
• Structure of the legal department
• Management team
• Essential personnel
• Accounting structure
• Insurance needs
• Security plans

Section Two: Marketing

• General overview and goals of the marketing strategies
• Market analysis
• Detailed description of marketing strategies
• Implementation of marketing strategies
• Marketing assessment

Section Three: Financial

• Summary of financing needs
• Dispersal of loan funds statement
• Budget
• Three-to-five-year income projection worksheets
• Projected balance worksheet
• Break-even analysis

An established business looking to expand will also need:

• Income statement
• Balance sheet
• Financial analysis
• Financial history of business prior to current plan

Section Four: Appendices

• Resumes of key staff
• Financial statements
• Credit reports
• Real estate documents
• Letters of reference
• Contracts
• Legal documents, including standard non-disclosure forms
• Miscellaneous documents

Though this outline covers all of the standard elements of a professional business plan, individual companies may find that they require other elements to create a fully visualized representation of their business goals.

The business plan involves so much documentation and research, many feel that hiring a consultant is a worthwhile and helpful expenditure. Professional consultants like those found at can help save time.