The following are the standard sections of a business plan:

• Cover page and table of contents
• Executive summary
• Profile and history of your organization
• Business model
• Financial assessment
• Risk plan
• Marketing plan
• Operations plan
• Implementation timeline
• Appendices (containing supporting documents)

Please note that not every section may apply to your project and that your business plan may need to contain additional information or have a different structure. Links to other resources are provided at the bottom of this page to help you develop the best business plan for your project.
 

Cover Page and Table of Contents

The business plan should always start with a title page and a table of contents.

Executive Summary

The executive summary provides a short (one to three pages long), high-level overview of the contents of the business plan. It outlines why the proposed business will succeed.

Profile and History of Your Organization

This section describes the organization’s development or provides information about how the business idea developed. It should also highlight any significant company history, such as past renewable energy development projects or other successful business ventures.

Profile and History of Your Organization

This section describes the organization’s development or provides information about how the business idea developed. It should also highlight any significant company history, such as past renewable energy development projects or other successful business ventures.

Business Model

The business model is different from the profile and history of your organization because it is specific to the initiative for which this business plan is being developed. The profile and history should reference any past business activities.

Your business model might include details about the following:

• a description of the project- technology, equipment, size, location etc.
• the location of the business operations
• the business ownership, structure and investment
• management team and accountability
• the experience of the owners, management and other key personnel.

Financial Assessment
 

The financial assessment section of the plan will contain information about the financing needs of your project, including how and when it will be financed. Financing can come from many sources, including equity contributions, grants and loans.

A financial model should be developed that will analyze all revenue, financing costs and development and operational costs to determine the financial security of the project.

Risk Plan

A risk plan identifies all of the potential problems that could affect the success of a project. A risk plan considers problems that could arise from the project planning stages through to the project reaching commercial operation. Once you have identified the risks, you will need to develop a plan for how to minimize them.

Marketing Plan

The marketing plan typically provides details about how the business is going to attract customers for its products or services at levels that will ensure the business is successful. In the case of a renewable energy project, the customer is the OPA, but this section can be used to describe what is being is offered and why it is an attractive proposition for the financing community and for the Aboriginal community. 

Operations Plan

The operations plan addresses the issues that will affect the day-to-day running of the business. Such as:

• equipment that will be needed?
• staffing needs
• qualifications and training that will be needed for staff
• routine maintenance that will be required and arrangements to perform maintenance (equipment supplier, warranties, etc.)
• contingency plan for major repairs and equipment replacement.

Implementation Timeline

The implementation timeline is the detailed road map outlining how the business is going to become operational. It lays out the specific actions, timing and people responsible for each activity needed to move the business from just an idea to a viable enterprise.

Appendices

The appendices contain documentation that supports the business plan. Each appendix should be referenced in the main part of the business plan. Examples of appendices include engineering diagrams, maps, approval documentation and partnership agreements.

For your business plan to be effective, it should evolve as new opportunities and issues are identified. The size and complexity of your business will determine the amount of detail needed to complete your plan.