{"id":17437,"date":"2021-09-07T22:10:18","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T22:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/?page_id=17437"},"modified":"2025-09-25T11:37:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T11:37:37","slug":"business-plan-checklist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist","title":{"rendered":"Business Plan Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.btn-right {\n  background-color: #294961;\n  border: none;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 10px 20px;\n  text-align: center;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: inline-block;\n  font-size: 17px;\npadding:16px 31px;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  margin: 14px 2px;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}<\/p>\n<p>.btn-right:hover {\n      background-color: #005900;\n      color: white;\n}\n@media only screen and (max-width: 480px){\n    .btn-right{\n      max-width:600px !important;\n      width:100% !important;\npadding:8px;\nfont-size:11px;\n    }\n<\/style>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Copy-of-growthink.png\" alt=\"Business Plan Checklist\" \/><\/p>\n<style>\nul>li {\n        padding-bottom: 10px;\n    }\nol>li {\n        padding-bottom: 10px;\n    }\nul {\n    list-style-type:none;\n}\n@media only screen and (max-width: 350px){\n    div.relatedpost {\n      max-width:500px !important;\n      width:100% !important;\npadding:6px;\nfont-size:11px;\n    }\n<\/style>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it\u2019s for a bank, investors, validation, and\/or a roadmap, your company needs a written business plan to convert your ideas into an organized, professional document.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-format-how-structure-your-business-plan\">business plan format<\/a> will change depending on why you\u2019re writing it and who you&#8217;re writing it for. If you&#8217;re seeking validation, it\u2019s best to start with a simple one-page pitch. On the other hand, if you&#8217;re pursuing funding, you&#8217;ll need a professional, formal business plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><button class=\"btn-right\" onclick=\" window.open('https:\/\/businessplantemplate.growthink.com\/plan\/?utm_source=business-plan-checklist&#038;utm_medium=growthink&#038;utm_campaign=seo','_blank')\">Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here\u2014><\/button><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of the intentions behind your business plan, having a checklist of what needs to be included is helpful to make sure you&#8217;re effectively getting your ideas and strategies down on paper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a baseline, your business plan should include these 10 sections:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Executive Summary<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Company Overview<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Industry Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Customer Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Competitive Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Marketing Plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Operations Plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Management Team<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Financial Plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Appendix<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"relatedpost\" style=\"margin: 0 auto; text-align: center; width:fit-content;\"><b>RELATED ARTICLE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/key-components-business-plan-part-ii\">Key Components of a Business Plan<\/a><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<b><\/p>\n<h2>The Essential Business Plan Checklist<\/h2>\n<p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Here, I will explain the different elements you need to include in each section. Use this resource as a business plan questions checklist and mark them off as you go.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Executive Summary<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <a href=\"\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-executive-summary-tips-killer-executive-summary\">executive summary<\/a> should explain the problem you are solving and how you intend to solve it. When reviewing your business plan, address the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The function of your business<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Competitors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Target customers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Key financial highlights<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Key members of your team<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Business goals<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, you want to ensure that your executive summary introduces your business in a detailed yet concise form, explaining the key parts of your business and the market.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Company Overview\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, you will give a brief summary of your company as a whole and how it functions. Be certain to include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Company history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Founding members<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Milestones you have achieved<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The legal structure of your business<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<div class=\"relatedpost\" style=\" width:85%; background-color: #e6e6ff ;  padding-bottom:0px\">\n<p id=\u201ccta\u201d><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" class=\"bi bi-exclamation-circle-fill\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n  <path d=\"M16 8A8 8 0 1 1 0 8a8 8 0 0 1 16 0zM8 4a.905.905 0 0 0-.9.995l.35 3.507a.552.552 0 0 0 1.1 0l.35-3.507A.905.905 0 0 0 8 4zm.002 6a1 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0-2z\"\/>\n<\/svg>   <b>Finish Your Business Plan Today!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like to quickly and easily complete your business plan, download <a href=\"https:\/\/businessplantemplate.growthink.com\/plan\/?utm_source=business-plan-checklist&#038;utm_medium=growthink&#038;utm_campaign=seo\" target=\"_blank\" re=\"nofollow\">Growthink\u2019s Ultimate Business Plan Template<\/a> and complete your plan and financial model in hours.<\/div>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n<h3><b>Industry Analysis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your industry analysis will provide a summary of your market research. After doing your research, include answers to the following questions in your business plan:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> How big is the market?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Where is the market currently: growing or declining?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Who are some of the key competitors?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> What is influencing the industry?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Customer Analysis\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In your customer analysis, you will explain the audience you are targeting and expect to serve. Be sure to focus on your target customers and the customer needs. It should explain the:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Demographic profile of your target market <\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Customer segments within that market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Competitive Analysis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your competitive analysis will address your competition in the market. It should have three subsections as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Direct Competitors: other businesses in your market (example: if you own an ice cream shop, other ice cream shops are direct competitors)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Indirect Competitors: other businesses that may not specifically be in your business\u2019s market, but provide similar results to that of your company (example: if you own an ice cream shop, grocery stores that sell ice cream are indirect competitors)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For each competitor, identify both their strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to address the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> What features do they offer?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> What is their pricing?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Who are their customers?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> What are they good at?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> What are their weaknesses?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe your competitive advantages or what your business will do better. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, provide answers to the following questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Will you offer more or better features?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Will you ensure better results for your users?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Will you offer better pricing?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Will your customer service be more efficient?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure that your competitive analysis describes just how your business will succeed and stand out in its competitive market.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Marketing Plan<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your plan should include the following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/marketing-plan\">marketing plan sections:<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Product<\/strong>: detail the specific features of your business\u2019s product<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Price<\/strong>: identify your business pricing and if there will be different pricing levels (e.g., free, premium) and what exactly those levels will be<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Place<\/strong>: name where your business will be located<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Promotions<\/strong>: how you will attract customers to your business (social media advertising, pay-per-click advertising, magazine advertising, public relations, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><b>Operations Plan<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, you will describe how your company will effectively meet the goals you identified in the earlier sections of your business plan. Your operations plan should have two sections:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Every day short-term processes: all necessary daily operations completed simply for the function of your business (providing customer service, writing code, fixing bugs, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Long-term goals: milestones you hope to achieve (reaching $X in sales, having Y amount of employees, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Management Team<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is essential to have a strong management team for the function and success of your business. Be sure to include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Management team: highlight your key players\u2019 backgrounds and describe their skills and talents<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Management team gaps: any experience that you think your business will need in order to succeed\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Board members\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Financial Plan<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your financial plan will document your 5-year <a href=\"\/business-plan-financial-projections\">financial projections<\/a>, broken down in monthly or quarterly projections for the first year, and then annually thereafter. Your focus here is to show how much money you need, how much income you will earn, and when you will be profitable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your financial plan should include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Profit &amp; Loss statement\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cash flow statement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Balance sheet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sales forecast<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Personnel plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Break-even analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To provide evidence to your numbers, include supporting documentation in your financial plan.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<center><\/p>\n<div class=\"relatedpost\" style=\" width:85%; background-color: #e6e6ff ;  padding-bottom:0px\">\n<p id=\u201ccta\u201d><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" class=\"bi bi-exclamation-circle-fill\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n  <path d=\"M16 8A8 8 0 1 1 0 8a8 8 0 0 1 16 0zM8 4a.905.905 0 0 0-.9.995l.35 3.507a.552.552 0 0 0 1.1 0l.35-3.507A.905.905 0 0 0 8 4zm.002 6a1 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0-2z\"\/>\n<\/svg>   <b>Finish Your Business Plan Today!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like to quickly and easily complete your business plan, download <a href=\"https:\/\/businessplantemplate.growthink.com\/plan\/?utm_source=business-plan-checklist&#038;utm_medium=growthink&#038;utm_campaign=seo\" target=\"_blank\" re=\"nofollow\">Growthink\u2019s Ultimate Business Plan Template<\/a> and complete your plan and financial model in hours.<\/div>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n<h3><b>Appendix<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your appendix will provide any and all other documentation or information that you believe supports your business plan. If necessary, your appendix can include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Resumes of key management, blurbs on other management members<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Job descriptions\/titles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Copies of forms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Copies of licenses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Personal and business tax returns (if applying for a loan)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><input type=\"checkbox\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Marketing materials\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"relatedpost\" style=\"margin: 0 auto; text-align: center; width:fit-content;\"><b>RESOURCE: <\/b> <a href=\"\/products\/business-plan-template\">Business Plan Template &amp; Guide for Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/div>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To ensure that your business plan effectively portrays the mission and potential success of your business, go through this checklist and make sure you have included each concept mentioned. A <a href=\"\/businessplan\/help-center\/fill-in-the-blank-business-plan\">fill in the blank business plan<\/a> also includes each of these key sections and can help you quickly and easily complete your business plan.<\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Business Plan Checklist FAQs<\/h2>\n<style>#sp-ea-17439 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 500ms;}#sp-ea-17439.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-17439.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-17439.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-17439.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-17439.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1773151447\"><div id=\"sp-ea-17439\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-174390\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse174390\" aria-controls=\"collapse174390\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How Do I Make a Business Plan Checklist?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse174390\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-17439\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-174390\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019ve completed the hard work for you! You can download this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Business-Plan-Checklist-Growthink.pdf\">Business Plan Checklist PDF<\/a> for quick reference as you complete your business plan. <\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-174391\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse174391\" aria-controls=\"collapse174391\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What are the 10 Components of a Business Plan?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse174391\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-17439\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-174391\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Read our article detailing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/key-components-business-plan-part-ii\">10 Key Components of the Business Plan<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{ \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"@id\": \"sp-ea-schema-17439-69b024d71c9a6\", \"mainEntity\": [{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How Do I Make a Business Plan Checklist?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"We\u2019ve completed the hard work for you! You can download this Business Plan Checklist PDF for quick reference as you complete your business plan.\" } },{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What are the 10 Components of a Business Plan?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Read our article detailing the 10 Key Components of the Business Plan.\" } }] }<\/script><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"bluepost\">\n<p id=\"greencta\"><strong>Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?<\/p>\n<p>With Growthink\u2019s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businessplantemplate.growthink.com\/plan\/?utm_source=business-plan-checklist&#038;utm_medium=growthink&#038;utm_campaign=seo\" target=\"_blank\" re=\"nofollow\">Click here to finish your business plan today.<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether it\u2019s for a bank, investors, validation, and\/or a roadmap, your company needs a written business plan to convert your ideas into an organized, professional document.\u00a0 The business plan format will change depending on why you\u2019re writing it and who you&#8217;re writing it for. If you&#8217;re seeking validation, it\u2019s best to start with a simple [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29265,"featured_media":17438,"parent":8361,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17437","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Business Plan Checklist - Growthink<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Use our comprehensive business plan checklist to easily structure your business plan with essential sections for success, including financial projections and more.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Business Plan Checklist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Use our comprehensive business plan checklist to easily structure your business plan with essential sections for success, including financial projections and more.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Growthink\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-25T11:37:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Copy-of-growthink.png?_t=1758800259\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"530\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Dave Lavinsky\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ba4f0e0bde913a174cf69d8f076099a0\"},\"headline\":\"Business Plan Checklist\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-09-07T22:10:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-25T11:37:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist\"},\"wordCount\":1113,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Copy-of-growthink.png\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.growthink.com\/businessplan\/help-center\/business-plan-checklist\",\"name\":\"Business Plan Checklist - 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