A written guide to starting and running your business is essential for success. This plan serves as a road map for the development of the business, facilitates obtaining capital, and generally promotes growth.

The following links to outlines, tutorials and templates can help you through the planning process.

Essential Elements Of A Good Business Plan For Growing Companies (SBA).
Outlines how to write your plan.

A Business Plan: The Roadmap To Success (SBA)
The SBA's guide to developing a comprehensive business plan.

Writing The Business Plan (SBA)
Detailed, step-by-step explanation to help write your plan.

Business Plan Template (SBA) (On line | PDF)
Step-by-step guide to help you build the business plan.

Business Planning FAQs (SBA)
Answers to the most common business plan questions.

Guidelines for Business Planning (SBRC)
The SBRC’s guidelines for creating the business plan.

Writing a Business Plan (DBED)
DBED’s outline for writing the business plan.

Business Plan Workshop (SBA)
An online workshop to help start and improve your business plan.

Using The Business Plan (SBA)
How to get the most out of your plan.

Finding A Niche (SBA)
A small, steady corner of the market could be your success story.

Strategic Planning (SBA)
Learn to match the strengths of your business to available opportunities.

Business Planning Templates from SCORE

The following templates can provide direction for developing all aspects of the business plan, particularly the supporting financial documents.

Business Plan for a Start-up Business (Word | PDF)

Business Plan for an Established Business (Word | PDF)

Board of Advisors (Excel)

Competitive Analysis (Word | PDF)

Financial Projections (Template | Explanatory Notes for Template | Example)

Start-Up Expenses (Excel | PDF)

Opening Day Balance Sheet (Excel | PDF)

Balance Sheet (Projected) (Excel | PDF)

Bank Loan Request for Small Business (Word | PDF)

Loan Amortization Schedule (Excel | PDF) (Provided by Microsoft Office Online)

Breakeven Analysis (Excel | PDF)

Cash Flow Statement (12 Months) (Excel | PDF)

Cash Flow Statement (4 Years) (Excel | PDF) (Provided by Real Easy Books)

Financial History & Ratios (Excel | PDF)

Personal Financial Statement (Excel | PDF)

Profit and Loss Projection (12 Months) (Excel | PDF)

Profit and Loss Projection (3 Years) (Excel | PDF)

Sales Forecast (12 Months) (Excel | PDF)