Elements of Business Plan

Rationale
Business Plan is a document that makes it clear to a client that the costs of an IT or other project
(e.g. (e.g. a new venture) are justified, what problems are solved, how it is to be implemented
and when (and how much) benefit will be returned.

Format and Structure

A report of max 4000 words (plus max 1000 words appendix, if needed) in the form of a
business plan to pitch at potential investors for your own idea.

Template
1. The Executive Summary. Does it contain a short & accurate summing up of the problem, the
solution, the investment needs, the ROI and the USP of your proposed company.

2. Background & branch: Understanding of the industry structure, Is there an argument for a
solid foundation for the solution? Value proposition. Do the individuals master the techniques
involved (or argue how they can gain this)

3. The process of new venture formation.

A good understanding of various business vehicles, the roles of Companies House, of shares and
other means of financing companies.

4. Budget and sales forecast; Investment needed and returns. Description of the financial
potential
Excellent use of spreadsheet software for the budget, a bar chart or similar is used to prepare a
"hockey stick" curve, possibly with best/worse case.

5. Market research: What are the overall perspectives? Has the area been well researched and
found interesting. The market description; Market size & Market share.
Good use of a range of techniques including competitor analysis by SGM or similar techniques
OR Good use of a range of techniques excluding SGM but may include e.g. Porters and SWOT

6. Believable time frame. Is the solution (how the customers will be reached) workable in the
time frame. If applicable, is there a description (realistic) of implementation, roll-out and initial
sales.
A good customer analysis and justification of reaching primary and secondary segments

7. Planning: the assignment of tasks and in a believable and quantifiable manner and coupling of
budget to operational estimates.
A good and comprehensive use of Task Matrices

8. Resources Can the projected company realize the goals. Argumentation for the resources and
business system/model
Good argumentation for both the business model and the resources needed e.g. competence
matrix analysis of the team

9. Academic: General understanding of the course material and in particular has the person
understood Innovation, Creative Destruction & Value Chains.
Your work shows that you have been willing to innovate and/or to experiment with some new
concepts and to take some well-judged risks.

10. Literature, citation, grammar and general presentation.

Your work shows that you have followed good academic practice in terms of citation and
referencing, presentation format and clear, accurate English.