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Question Based Planning reduces Business Planning Timeframes

Guest post by: Marcus Tarrant

Article Overview: Business planning involves more than just writing a lengthy document. Much of the core value in a business plan is derived from the business strategy, business model and the effective communication of these to the intended target audience.

Question Based Planning reduces Business Planning Timeframes

After consulting on the creation and development of hundreds of business plans, Business Planning HQ has developed a faster approach that the vast majority of businesses can now afford.

A survey of businesses involved in the business planning process revealed some sobering statistics. Most first time business planners spend 2-3 days just deciding on the format their business plan should take. As first time planners are not usually experienced writers, they tend to struggle with developing concise content set format plans. The process of getting the language right can take almost as much time as developing the key concepts and strategy.

Business Planning HQ has developed a set of questions, the answers to which automatically populate a business plan. Our clients believe that this approach a far simpler, more structured and efficient approach to creating a business plan.

The question led business planning approach was developed by Business Planning HQ to embody all the best of a consulting approach with the efficiency of an automated template. All the language and logic of the plan already exists, and the answers to the questions act to help the business planner clarify their thinking, and ensure that the business model is internally consistent. The questions are answered in their own time, and are provided in a simple excel based document.

These questions can be shared with collaborators, partners, or suppliers to ensure the best possible input is provided into the planning process.

Once the questions have been answered (usually taking less than 4 hours) the information is then automatically used to create either a business plan or a business concept pitch.

Question led business planning can reduce the usually time a first time business planner would spend from more than a week to less than 4 hours.

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Article Tags: Business Plan, Business Planning, Business Strategy



Related Forum Posts
Re: How do you make the most of your day? - Planning, To Do lists, and deadlines all help me. Also being self critical of my own time management helps me raise the bar. I still check email too often though.
Re: Success - I think it was Gary Player who said the harder I practice the luckier I become when it came to his success as a world class golfer. Planning and dedication to a task can make all the difference between success and failure. MichelleJ
Seek Venture Capital & Funding - Hello, Greetings from India. I am Seeking Venture Capital for Offshore Software Company Start-up. Need advise along with Business Model Sample. I have a basic outline for an offshore company. 1. Technology - like Microsoft Dot Net, Java, LAMP 2. Talent Team - Found Good Technology Developers. 3. Where I can get the leads/potential customers - Leads have been identified who are willing to move forward offshore projects. 4. I do not have resources like funding. It is a very critical factor to me Industries: Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail, Insurance, Distribution & Logistics, Healthcare, Industry Associations and Software Product Development, Agricultural Industries and Etc. Services: Offshore Software Development Company. Offices to be located: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India and USA. Products/Services/Applications in areas like POS & Billing, Sales & Distribution, Production Planning, Material Management, Inventory Control, Plant Maintenance, Purchasing, Accounting and Logistics. Dynamic Web Programming with Database Driven Content Management Systems, Online Stores for E-Commerce, B2B Solutions, Community Portals, Website Redesign and Development, Custom ERP with Enterprise Wide Functional Modules such as Marketing, CRM, Accounting, Inventory Control, Sales & Distribution, Production Planning, Purchase & Stores, Logistics and Supply Chain. Seek your further questions and help. Thank you, Best Regards, Jayapratap.
Re: Quote of the Day - "If you hesitate, some bolder hand will s - Excellent quote, Evan. This reminds me of the saying, "The early bird catches the worm." It's important to act on impulses, rather than hesitate and plan. Planning isn't a bad thing and is warranted in certain cases, but those who act quickly will get a step ahead of the competition.
Nice List - Nice list, and I agree with everything you all have added! Planning is the biggest one of all! Look at everything from every aspect possible, and then ask others to look at it as well. It's extremely important that you consider everything before jumping into things, and it goes so much smoother! Also, some young entrepreneurs tend to have an unrealistic mindset (I can sell 4000 of this product in my first week!). Make sure you know what you're getting into, and don't expect something that won't ever happen. ~Marie


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