Wessex Deanery HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN Jo Stevens Business Manager – Wessex Deanery Chair – National Forum of COPMeD Business Managers 26 th January 2011

Wessex Deanery Purpose of a Business Plan Planning a Business Plan - Effective Report Writing Structure of a Business Plan Draft Business Case - Exercise Session Outline

Wessex Deanery Purpose of a Business Plan To convey a clear message To obtain the desired result To retain a permanent record To create or maintain a good impression

Wessex Deanery Planning a Business Plan – Effective Report Writing Points to Consider: Plan! What is the objective of writing the business plan? – what do you want to achieve? Who is the target audience – is it internal or external? If internal, is it departmental or board level? Research Avoid using complicated and confusing language Clear layout and structure of the report Proof read!

Wessex Deanery Structure of a Business Plan Clear Template structure to include: Reason/Rationale – why is the business case being written? An options assessment/appraisal Benefits Appraisal Risk Analysis Cost Analysis Timescales Recommendations

Wessex Deanery Suggested Template Title PurposeBrief summary of aim of the business case Author VersionTo keep control of the various drafts before the final submission Date ContentsList the structure of the report AppendicesList as appropriate First Page:

Wessex Deanery Contents page  Purpose of the Business Case  Reasons  Options appraisal  Benefits expected  Risks  Costs  Timescales  Recommendations

Wessex Deanery Body of the Report  Purpose  Short opening paragraph as way of introduction briefly and succinctly summarising why the report has been written and a desired outcome  Reasons  A more detailed summary as to the background of the topic and the actual issues at hand  Options Appraisal  This section is the opportunity to assess in detail what the issues are, proposals to how these can be addressed and by whom  Benefits  What will the organisation/department gain by supporting the proposal  Opportunity to focus on where the potential improved efficiencies, reduce risk, financial savings, etc will impact

Wessex Deanery Body of the Report continued:  Risks  Clearly identify any risks to the organisation for maintaining the status quo as well as any risks in changing current process  Are there any staffing and funding risks?  Assess each potential risk and quantify them  Costs  Itemise the cost of the proposal – include any one-off set up costs, recurring funding  Timescales  Clearly clarify the expected timeframe together with any notable milestones and when the proposal should be implemented  Recommendations  A final short paragraph summarising the key aspects and required outcome

Wessex Deanery Group Exercise Task: To draw up an outline business case for the following: “To develop and implement an integrated information management system to support trainees and associates who have career, performance and professional support requirements “

Wessex Deanery To help remember the key aspects: “ I kept six honest serving men (They taught me all I knew): Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who” Rudyard Kipling