Operational plans are important for any effective business plan. They provide a roadmap for how the company will operate on a day-to-day basis. The operational strategic plan should outline the company’s goals and objectives, as well as the strategies and actions that will be taken to achieve them.
Business Operations Section of a Business Plan
The operational plan or operations section of a business plan is where you describe how your business will function on a day-to-day basis. This includes everything from the resources you’ll need to run your business, to the people who will be responsible for carrying out various tasks, to the processes and procedures you’ll use to get work done.
Purpose of the Operational Plan Section of a Business Plan
An operational plan is essential for any business because it provides a roadmap for how it will function. It ensures that everyone involved in the business is on the same page and knows what their roles and responsibilities are. Having an operational plan also makes it easier to track and accomplish goals, while driving cost reduction and improving overall results. Finally, your operations plan section helps show readers that you can turn your vision and goals into reality.
Benefits of an Operations Plan Include:
- Identifying the key processes your company must perform to achieve its goals
- Mapping out short-term and long-term milestones so you have specific goals and a roadmap for achieving them
- Understanding the human and other resources required to execute your vision
Writing an Operations Section of a Business Plan
When writing the operations section of a business plan, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, be sure to describe the resources that will be required to run your business. This includes everything from office space and equipment to human resources. Next, detail the processes and procedures that will be used to get work done. Be as specific as possible so that there is no confusion about how things should be done. Finally, identify the people who will be responsible for carrying out various tasks. This includes both employees and contractors.
Tracking Key Performance Indicators with Operational Planning
As a business owner, it’s important to track your progress against your company goals. This is where KPIs come in. KPIs are performance indicators and an important part of creating a strategic plan that can help you track your progress and identify areas of improvement. You should document your KPIs in the operation plan of your business plan
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing KPIs for your business:
- Make sure that the KPIs you choose are relevant to your company’s goals.
- Choose KPIs that can be easily measured.
- Avoid choosing too many KPIs, as this can be overwhelming. Stick to a few key ones that will give you the most insights into your business’s progress.
- Set realistic targets for each KPI. This will help you track your progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Review your KPIs on a regular basis to ensure that they are still relevant and accurate, while also being in line with strategic plans.
Some Examples of KPIs that You Could Track with an Operational Plan
When creating an operations plan, it’s important to track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure your progress against your company goals. Some examples of KPIs that you could track are:
- Sales growth
- Delivery times
- Customer satisfaction ratings
- Product Quality
- Production Process
- Employee retention
- Operational costs
Creating an operational plan with KPIs will help you track your progress, identify areas of improvement, improve strategic planning and make necessary changes to reach your company’s strategic objective.
Example of an Operations Section of a Business Plan
Here is what an operations plan example might look like:
The XYZ Company will require the following resources to operate:
- 1,000 square feet of office space
- $10,000 for office furniture and equipment
- 3 full-time employees
- 2 part-time employees
- 1 contractor
The XYZ Company will use the following processes and procedures to get work done:
- All new clients will be contacted within 24 hours of the initial inquiry
- Initial consultations will be scheduled within 48 hours of contact
- Proposals will be presented within 10 days of the initial consultation
- Work will begin within 2 weeks of proposal acceptance
The following people will be responsible for carrying out these tasks:
- John Smith, full-time employee, will contact new clients
- Jane Doe, full-time employee, will schedule initial consultations
- John Smith and Jane Doe will conduct initial consultations
- John Smith and Jane Doe will prepare proposals
- John Smith and Jane Doe will manage projects
- Joe Johnson, contractor, will provide support as needed
An operations plan is a critical part of any business planning work. It provides a roadmap for how the business will function on a day-to-day basis. This includes everything from the resources you’ll need to run your business, to the people who will be responsible for carrying out various tasks, to the processes and procedures you’ll use to get work done. Having operational plans in place will ensure that everyone involved in the business is on the same page and knows what their roles and responsibilities are. It will also make it easier to track and accomplish goals.
Key Takeaways
A few key things to remember when writing your operations plan:
- Describe the resources that will be required to run your business
- Detail the processes and procedures that will be used to get work done
- Identify the people who will be responsible for carrying out various tasks
Following these tips will help you create a comprehensive and effective operations plan for your business.
A strategic plan is one of the critical components of any successful company. The operations plan outlines the roadmap for your business, outlining the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Our team of experts has created a comprehensive business plan template that will guide you through the process of creating an operational plan tailored to your specific business needs. Ready to get started? Download our template today and get access to all the tools and information you need to create a thriving business.
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