For companies aspiring to maintain a strategic vision and a clear course, it is imperative to develop an exhaustive Business Plan. This document represents a detailed roadmap that encapsulates the fundamental objectives, plans, and strategies of an organization. Its creation is carried out at managerial and executive levels and requires shareholder approval for validity.
A well-structured Business Plan typically begins with an executive summary that establishes the company’s mission, vision, value proposition, and long-term goals. Additionally, it should provide a detailed description of the business and its various units, as well as an in-depth analysis of the competition and the business environment, using tools like scenario planning and SWOT analysis.
The Business Plan, or Master Plan, contains several core components: the operations plan, the supply plan, the commercial plan, the financial plan, the investment plan, and the fiscal plan.
The operations plan is linked to the type of business the company develops and answers the question: What are we going to do? In companies dedicated to agricultural production, for example, where the main activity could be extensive farming, this plan should include the planting program for the new season, the details of the technologies to be applied by crop and field, the associated management, and the projection of expected production.
From there, the supply plan emerges, establishing: What do we need to carry out the operational plan? This should detail the inputs required to perform the activity, including prices and payment terms.
Meanwhile, the commercial plan answers: How are we going to sell what is produced? It should include the stock of products from the previous cycle, the projected production with target prices, and a monthly sales projection.
With the elements of the previous plans, the financial plan can be outlined, answering: How are we going to finance operations? In addition to the generated information, it should consider the incurred debt, the balances from previous seasons, and the indirect costs.
Additionally, an investment plan is required, detailing the necessary projects along with their justification, value, timeline, and execution scheme; and a fiscal plan that describes how the company will manage its taxes efficiently.
The primary purpose of a Business Plan is threefold: to summarize the short-term organizational strategy aligned with the long-term, to facilitate obtaining financing and investment, and to help forecast market demands and trends. It is a tool that lays a solid foundation, provides visibility, and controls over key success factors.
When developing annual plans, it is crucial to consider the particularities of each period, such as price fluctuations, input costs, access to financing, and other relevant variables. An exhaustive analysis will allow capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating potential risks.
Ultimately, a robust and comprehensive Business Plan is a key component for the strategic development of any business organization today.